Bi-directional charging/integrated power management unit

ABSTRACT

A media enhanced shopping cart system comprises a shopping cart comprising a frame, a basket, a handle, a base tray, a plurality of wheels, a read component for performing a proximity scan of the shopping cart, a locationing component for determining a location of the shopping cart within a store based on the scan, and a display component for displaying at least one advertisement for a product based on the location of the shopping cart within the store, wherein the locationing component is further operable to determine a location of the product within the store relative to the shopping cart based on the scan, and wherein the display component is further operable to display an indication of the location of the advertised product relative to the location of the shopping cart.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to a media enhanced shopping cartsystem, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a systemand method for providing information such as advertising to a consumeras a shopping cart is navigated within a store.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In today's media market, measuring efficacy of advertising is difficult.Advertisers are spending billions of dollars on television, radio, andprint with little return on investment, and they have little assurancethat consumers will actually see advertisements, much less makepurchasing decisions impacted by them. Thus, advertisers and stores areconstantly searching for new and related advertising venues, and inparticular those positioned at, or in close proximity to, the point ofpurchase location. To wit, the traditional shopping cart is anunderutilized advertising medium. The shopping cart is the one venuethat continually moves with the consumer as they navigate the store.Thus, the shopping cart provides an advertising venue with opportunityto improve the shopping experience of the consumer.

The present disclosure is aimed to address needs of advertisers,retailers, and consumers. Advertisers wish to 1) display ads at the mosteffective location and time, at the consumer's point of purchase, 2)specifically measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns, and 3)improve return on advertisement investment dollars. Retailers wish to 1)increase sales, 2) share in advertising revenue, 3) reduce labor costs,4) create a consumer friendly environment with less advertisementclutter, 5) enhance their store image and 6) make improvements that arecompatible with existing solutions. Consumers wish to 1) have a pleasantand efficient shopping experience, and 2) save money on items that theyneed or want.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, a media enhanced shopping cart system isprovided. The media enhanced shopping cart system comprises a shoppingcart comprising a frame, a basket, a handle, a base tray, a plurality ofwheels, a read component for performing a proximity scan of the shoppingcart, a locationing component for determining a location of the shoppingcart within a store based on the scan, and a display component fordisplaying at least one advertisement for a product based on thelocation of the shopping cart within the store, wherein the locationingcomponent is further operable to determine a location of the productwithin the store relative to the shopping cart based on the scan, andwherein the display component is further operable to display anindication of the location of the advertised product relative to thelocation of the shopping cart.

In another embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprisesperforming a proximity scan from a shopping cart, determining a locationof the cart within a store based on the scan; displaying at least oneproduct advertisement based on the location of the cart, correlating alocation of an advertised product with the location of the cart, anddisplaying an indication of the location of the advertised product withrespect to the location of the shopping cart.

These and other features and advantages will be more clearly understoodfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following briefdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings anddetailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent likeparts.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a media enabled shopping cart according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a view from the nose of a media enabled shopping cartaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates a rear view of a media enabled shopping cartaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a close up, rear view of a rear caster wheel for a mediaenabled shopping cart.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a modular device of a media enabledshopping cart according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary display according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a media enabled shopping cartrecharging in a recharge corral according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an exploded cutaway view of a media enabled shopping cartengaged in a recharge corral according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8A shows a side view of a charge rail system for recharging thebattery of one or more carts according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8B illustrates a side view of two charge rail segments forming asingle recharge stall according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8C illustrates a front view of a media enabled shopping cartrecharging in a recharge corral according to an alternative embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8D and 8E show a perspective view of a contact plate cover in aclosed and open position, respectively.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary view, defining a field of vision of a consumerusing a media enabled shopping cart according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of a video display of a media enabledshopping cart according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates the nose of the media enabled shopping cart with afolding video display according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary view of a plurality of carts nested together forstorage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows a detailed view of the video display according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exploded view of the video display componentsaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is an overhead view of the media enabled shopping cart whenreading one or more RFID tags affixed to objects for locating the cartin the store according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows an exemplary view of an advertising display on the videodisplay according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates the overall system of the media enabled shoppingcart in a store network system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 18 is an illustrative view of the media enabled shopping cart in astore network system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 19 shows a user interface including a voice activated interface, afive-way navigation device, and a bar code scanner grouped in a podaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20A is a front view of a bowtie shaped aperture for an RFIDantenna.

FIG. 20B is a front view of a slot shaped aperture for an RFID antenna.

FIG. 20C is a top view of a radiation pattern emanated from the apertureof FIG. 20A or 20B.

FIG. 20D is a side view of a radiation pattern emanated from theaperature of FIG. 20A or 20B.

FIGS. 21A-F illustrate various graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to bepresented via a video display to a consumer user of the media enabledshopping cart.

FIG. 22 illustrates a graphical user interfaces (GUI) to be presentedvia a video display to an employee user of the media enabled shoppingcart.

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary scrolling menu according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary display including the price checkfunction associated content according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary display including the price checkfunction resulting content according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 26 illustrates an exemplary display including the store specialsfunction associated content according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 27A-C illustrate exemplary displays including the item finderfunction associated content according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary display including the item finderfunction resulting content according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary method according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 30 illustrates a block diagram of a cart enabled for remote queuingaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 illustrates still another block diagram of a cart enabled forremote queuing.

FIG. 32 illustrates yet another block diagram of a cart enabled forremote queuing.

FIG. 33 illustrates still another block diagram of a cart enabled forremote queuing.

FIG. 34 illustrates again another block diagram of a cart enabled forremote queuing.

FIGS. 35-38 illustrate a series of block diagrams reflecting variousembodiments of cart-based information presentations of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood at the outset that although certain exemplaryimplementations of embodiments of the present disclosure is illustratedbelow, the present system may be implemented using any number oftechniques, whether currently known or in existence. The presentdisclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations,drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplarydesigns and implementations illustrated and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a side view, FIG. 2 is a front view, and FIG. 3A is a rearview of a shopping cart 10 having a basket 20 attached to a frame 30.The frame 30 further comprises a base 35 having base side members 32, 33and front base member 34 extending between the base side members 32, 33at the front or nose 45 of the cart. The frame 30 further comprises sidemembers 16, 17 extending upward from the base 35 on each side of theshopping cart 10. At the rear 25 of the cart, a handle 22 extendsbetween the side members 16, 17 at the upper end 18 of the side members.The basket 20 may, but need not necessarily, have channels or grooves57, 58 configured for receipt of the side members 16, 17. Side members16, 17 are shown as separate members having an opening 19 there between,but in alternative embodiments a single or solid member may be used inplace of separate members 16, 17. In an embodiment, the frame, includingbase 35, side members 16, 17, and handle 22, is formed as a single,unified member, for example by molding the entire frame from plastic.

In an embodiment, substantially the entire cart 10 is made of plastic,also referred to herein as a plastic cart, and in particular the basket20 consists essentially of plastic, along with the frame 30 and basetray 50. Various carts in the related art have a plastic basketsupported by a metal frame, however, a plastic cart 10 of the presentdisclosure substantially comprises plastic in that the basket 20, frame30 and base tray 50 are all made of plastic, and minor components, suchas screws or other connectors, the wheels 37 and 38, and the like may bemade of plastic or a metal. In an embodiment, the plastic used in thecart 10 comprises a high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”). The plastic isflame retardant and, in an embodiment, includes MICROBAN™, a product toinhibit the growth of bacteria, which aids in keeping the cart 10cleaner. The substantially all plastic composition of the cart 10additionally reduces or eliminates RFID interference as will bediscussed in more detail herein.

In an embodiment, substantially the entire cart 10 is made of metal or acombination of plastic and metal, and in particular the basket 20consists essentially of metal or a combination of plastic and metal,along with the frame 30 and base tray 50. In an embodiment, the cart 10may have a plastic basket supported by a metal frame, and minorcomponents, such as screws or other connectors, the wheels 37 and 38,and the like may be made of plastic or a metal. Such a cart is in usage,however may be retrofitted with the media enhancements, as will bediscussed in more detail below.

A lower or base tray 50 is attached to the base 35 and may be supportedby a front cross member 56 and a rear cross member 53 extending betweenthe base side members 32, 33. Front wheels 37 are attached to the frontof the base 35, for example at or near the intersection of the base sidemembers 32, 33 and the front base member 34. Rear wheels 38 are attachedto the rear of the base 35, for example at or near the rearward end ofbase side members 32, 33. The front wheels, the rear wheels, or both maybe casters comprised of metal and/or plastic.

The basket 20 further comprises a bottom 21; side walls 23, 24; sideupper edges 26, 27; a front wall 28; a front edge 29; and a rear wall31. The bottom 21 and walls 23 and 24, front side wall 28, and rear sidewall 31 define an interior 54 of the basket 20, and the edges 26 and 27and front edge 29 define an upper boundary for the interior 54 of thebasket 20. The exterior of the basket 20 refers to areas beyond theinterior of the basket as previously defined. In an embodiment, a planecontaining the upper edges 26 and 27 and front edge 29 defines the upperboundary for the interior 54 of the basket 20. The rear side wall 31 maybe hinged via hinges 51, 52 such that the lower edge 55 of rear sidewall 31 may swing upward into the interior 54 of the basket to receivethe front side wall 28 of another cart, thereby allowing the carts to benested for storage as shown in FIG. 12.

The basket 20 may further comprise a child seat 60 having a seat back 61and a seat bottom 62. The rear side wall 31 may have openings 63, 64 toaccommodate a child's legs when seated in seat 60. The seat bottom 62may include a hinged panel 65 that may be flipped up to close openings63, 64 when the seat 60 is not occupied. The seat back 61 may be hingedat or near the interior bottom of rear side wall 31 such that whenunneeded the seat 60 may fold about flush with the rear side wall 31 toincrease storage area in the interior 54 of the basket 20.

In an embodiment, the cart 10 further comprises a bumper handle 100. Thebumper handle 100 may comprise a plastic coated with neoprene, rubber ora similar coating product, or may comprise an uncoated plastic similarto that of which the basket 20 and/or frame 30 is comprised. The bumperhandle 100 may comprise an integrated portion of the basket 20, oralternatively, may be coupled to the basket 20 or frame 30. In anembodiment, the bumper handle 100 is coupled to an upper edge 26 or 27,or front edge 29 of the basket 20. Various means for attaching thebumper handle 100 may be used in the present disclosure and include butare not limited to clamping, fastening, screwing, gluing, clasping,welding, adhering, and the like. Various attachment devices may be usedin the present disclosure and include but are not limited to clamps,fasteners, screws, bolts, glues, clasps, adhesives, and the like. Inanother embodiment, the bumper handle 100 may comprise an integratedportion of the 28 front side wall 28 of the basket 20 or may comprise anintegrated portion of the front edge 29 of the front side wall 28 of thebasket 20.

In an embodiment, the bumper handle 100 may provide the consumer 85 anoption for pulling the cart 10 from a nested position with one or moreother carts, without pulling the cart 10 from a nested position by wayof pulling on the video display 75. The bumper handle 100 may also beused by the consumer 85 to pull the cart 10 at various times whileshopping. In an embodiment, the bumper handle 100 may cushion the cart10 and the video display 75 when a consumer 85 or other individualplaces the cart 10 into a nested position with one or more other carts.The bumper handle 100 may also act as a bumper to cushion impact of thecart 10 with other objects such as walls, shelves, product displays,vehicles, etc.

The cart 10 may be enhanced with several additional features, thoughthere is a market for the substantially all plastic cart without mediaenabling capabilities. The cart 10 may comprise a traditional cartretrofitted with the enhancements described below. A cart 10 having avideo display 75 is described by copending U.S. Provisional Applicationfiled Jul. 27, 2005, entitled “Basket Mounted Display for ShoppingCart,” incorporated by reference in its entirety. Added media enhancingcapabilities may include displaying visual images such as advertising tothe consumer 85 based upon the location of the cart 10 within the store,navigating menu options on the video display 75 using either the voiceactivated interface 120 or a five-position navigation device 123,scanning products for purchase according to bar codes or RFID tags,enhanced check out at a point of sale, media enhanced shopping cartshopping lists, a product “find” function, and data mining ofinformation pertaining to advertisements displayed to the consumer 85and which products were actually purchased, and the like, as will bediscussed in greater detail herein.

In various embodiments, the shopping cart system may further comprise anembedded computer module (“ECM”) 200, also referred to as a modularonboard device (MOD), comprising a central processing unit (“CPU”) 201,a local memory 202, a non-volatile memory 203, and a network transceiver204 as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4. In an embodiment, the ECM200 may comprise a chipset further comprising, for example, amicroprocessor and a graphics accelerator. In an embodiment, the chipsetmay comprise an Intel pxa270/2700g xScale chipset or an equivalent orimprovement thereof. In an embodiment, the non-volatile memory 203comprises flash memory, as is well known in the art. In an embodiment,the network transceiver 204 comprises a Wireless Local Area Network(“WLAN”) transceiver operable to enable the ECM 200 to communicate withvarious network components as will be described in greater detailherein. In an embodiment, the network transceiver or a component thereofsuch as the antenna may be located on the ECM 200, for example near afront wall of the ECM facing the nose of the cart. In referring tovarious wireless communications herein, including but not limited to thenetwork transceiver 204, any suitable wireless communications protocolmay be used including but not limited to IEEE 802.11 “wi-fi” standardssuch as 802.11a/b/g, IEEE 802.15 “Bluetooth,” IEEE 802.16 “WiMAX,”HomeRF, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the networktransceiver 204 may be located in video display 75, for example in thescreen housing 92, 93, and may be operably coupled to the ECM 200. TheECM 200 may further comprise a housing 199 comprising a protective,hermetically sealed plastic or other appropriate protective computerpackaging. The ECM 200 may be attached to the frame 30 (for example, viaconnectors 14 as shown in FIG. 12), the bottom of basket 20, the basetray 50, or combinations thereof by various attachment means and devicesas described herein. In an embodiment, the housing 199 may be integrallymolded as part of a plastic cart 10, for example integrally molded tothe bottom of basket 20, as part of the frame 30, as part of the basetray 50, or combinations thereof. In alternative embodiments, the ECM200 or components thereof may be attached to or integrated with thevideo display 75, for example as part of the screen 77 or the base 76.

In an embodiment, in local memory 202 or non-volatile memory 203, theECM 200 stores various programs and data, such as an operating system,voice recognition software, database software and populated databasefiles, files pertaining to advertising, and an operating system. In anembodiment, the operating system software may be the same as, equivalentto, or an improvement over the Microsoft WinCE.net (5.0) OperatingSystem utilizing the .NET Compact Framework and SQL Server embeddededition for WinCE along with standard Win com objects, drivers, andnetworking tool sets. In an alternative embodiment, the operating systemmay be Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, or an equivalent thereof. Itshould be understood that specific computing equipment and software aredisclosed herein as non-limiting examples, and that equivalent orimproved components may be substituted as such become available. In anembodiment, the ECM 200 may incorporate the following types ofprogramming: an embedded database engine, a business object layer, agraphic user interface presentation layer (GUI), one or more mediadisplay engines, automatic speech recognition engine, a bar code devicedriver, and an RFID reader driver.

The Cart Coordinator is an application running on the ECM 200 of thecart 10 that is responsible for keeping the cart's 10 electronicfunctionalities up-to-date, including all the content (such asadvertising) as well as the software (i.e. applications and operatingsystem). One of the many functions of the Cart Coordinator is to allowthe cart 10 to communicate with a store's in-store server (“ISS”) 330.In various embodiments, the Cart Coordinator performs some or all of thefunctionality while the cart 10 is in the cart corral 110. The CartCoordinator also maintains communication with the ISS 330 while the cart10 is out of the cart corral 110, e.g. during a shopping session. TheCart Coordinator checks the status and version of content and software,and upon finding an item (i.e. content or a piece of software) thatneeds to be updated, the Cart Coordinator starts a download via thewireless connection.

The Deployment Manager is another application running on the ECM 200 ofthe cart 10 that is responsible for installing the software downloadedby the Cart Coordinator on the cart 10. The Deployment Manager includesthe ability to determine whether a change is a minor change such that asimple update may be installed, or a more significant change requiringinstallation and restart, or a major change, calling for installation ofthe software followed by rebooting the cart 10.

In various embodiments, the Cart Coordinator and the Deployment Managerare functional for synchronizing and updating only when the cart 10 ispresent in the corral 110, while in other embodiments, the CartCoordinator and the Deployment Manager are functional for synchronizingand updating while the cart 10 is not in use but not necessarily presentin the corral 110.

In various embodiments, the Deployment Manager functions when the cart10 is located in the cart corral 110, because it is desirable to makemajor changes to the cart when the cart 10 is located within the bestnetwork coverage, which in some embodiments may be in the cart corral110. Additionally, it is undesirable to encumber the cart's 10 assets bydownloading while the cart is in use for shopping. Furthermore, the cart10 has unlimited power when located in the corral 110, making the corral110 the preferable location for synchronizing because synchronizing usesa significant amount of power.

In various embodiments, the Cart Coordinator is additionally responsiblefor uploads from the cart 10 to the ISS 330. For example, shop eventssuch as time spent with a certain ad displayed, the path of the cart 10,items purchased, and the like may be scheduled for upload from the cart10 to the ISS 330 by the Cart Coordinator.

In various embodiments, the Cart Coordinator may additionally provideperiodic real time updates for items such as new product prices, storespecials, and the like that are displayed and/or used by the cart 10.

In an embodiment, the ECM 200 may enter a hibernation or sleep mode whenthe cart 10 is nested with one or more other cart 10, when the cart 10is stored, or when the cart 10 is not in motion for a predeterminedperiod of time. In an embodiment, the hibernation or sleep mode mayinvolve powering the ECM 200 down entirely, or partially. In anembodiment, the cart 10 may further comprise one or more motion sensors36 operable to detect when the cart 10 is in motion. The motionsensor(s) 36 may be located anywhere on the cart 10. The motionsensor(s) 36 may be located in or on the handle 22 (for example in pod150) as shown in FIG. 3A, the base 35, or the base tray 50.Alternatively, the motion sensor(s) 36 may be coupled to wheels 37, 38and detect motion of the cart from turning of one or more wheels.Alternatively, the motion sensor(s) 36 may be integrated with a scanner215, wherein the motion sensor may serve as a proximity sensor 216 forthe scanner and/or a proximity sensor 216 for the scanner may serve as amotion sensor for activating components of the cart. Alternatively, themotion sensors(s) may be located in the ECM 200, for example a mercuryswitch or equivalent that detects movement of the cart. The motionsensor(s) activate the ECM 200, bringing it out of hibernation, when thecart 10 is selected by a consumer 85 from a nested position with one ormore other carts, from a cart corral 110, or when a consumer 85 beginsto move an abandoned cart 10 that has not moved for a predeterminedlength of time. Each of the components operably coupled to or comprisingcomponents of the ECM 200, as described below, may also be re-activatedor hibernated along with the ECM 200 when the motion sensor(s) 36detects that the cart 10 is in motion.

In an embodiment, the motion sensor(s) 36 may comprise mercury switchesplaced on the cart 10, such as in a location on a wheel 38 or caster, oron the basket 20 of the cart 10, such that when the cart 10 is inmotion, the mercury in the switch tilts with the motion of the cart 10to connect and disconnect the control of the ECM 200 or the variousother components.

In still another embodiment, the motion sensor(s) 36 may comprise one ormore magnetic reed switches in addition to or in lieu of mercuryswitches. In such an embodiment as shown in FIG. 3B, a magnetic reedswitch 180 is located in the frame or caster 182 above each wheel 38,and an associated magnet 184 is located on the wheel 38 hub, allowingsensing of tire rotation about axle 183 for motion detection. As is wellunderstood in the art, by placing a magnet on a rotating wheel, a“heartbeat” reflecting the rotational speed of the wheel may bedetermined, with one “beat” each time the magnet rotates past the reedswitch, opening or closing it. By placing a pair of these switch andmagnet groupings, one at each wheel, the ECM 200 may receive a signalfrom the magnetic reed switch via cable or wire 181 running throughframe 30 and determine the rotation speed of each wheel when in motion.By comparing rotational speed of adjacent wheels (for example, the twoback wheels having a fixed, known position relative to each other), theECM 200 may additionally determine when the cart turns as well as thespeed and direction of turns, providing additional data for use inaccurate determination of the location of the cart within the store.Further discussion of the use of magnetic reed switches in locating thecart 10 within the store is included below.

In an embodiment, the shopping cart system further comprises acorrelation component comprising software, hardware or a combination ofhardware and software operable to take various data gathered bycomponents of the cart, and correlate one or more of the different typesof data. The correlation component may, in an embodiment comprisehardware affixed to the cart with software incorporated therein, or may,in an embodiment, comprise hardware affixed to the cart with softwarestored in and/or executed from the ECM 200. In an embodiment, thecorrelation component may be integrated within the ECM 200.

For example, the correlation component is operable to correlate datafrom the inventory component (discussed in greater detail below)regarding the inventory contained by the shopping cart, with the uniqueidentity of the shopping cart. In such an exemplary embodiment, thecorrelation component is operably coupled to the inventory component andthe ECM 200, such that as the inventory of the cart 10 is updated, thecorrelation component correlates the current inventory with the uniqueidentity of the cart 10 and stores the correlation (preferably in theECM 200), such that, at the Point of Sale 300, the ECM 200 maywirelessly communicate the correlation of the inventory and the uniqueidentity of the cart 10. The correlation component may be furtheroperably coupled to the locationing component, such that the correlationcomponent may correlate the inventory, the unique identity, and thelocation of the cart, over the course of a shopping trip, store thecorrelation, and wirelessly communicate the correlation to the Point ofSale 300.

For example, the correlation component is operable to correlate datafrom the inventory component (discussed in greater detail below)regarding the inventory contained by the shopping cart, with datarelating to the shopping list component (discussed below). In such anexemplary embodiment, the correlation component is operably coupled tothe inventory component, the shopping list component, the ECM 200, andthe video display 75, such that as the inventory of the cart 10 isupdated, the customer shopping list may be updated, as well as theshopping list displayed in the video display 75. The correlation may bestored in the ECM 200, or stored elsewhere in the network, associatedwith a specific consumer, and used to generate shopping lists in thefuture.

For example, the correlation component is operable to correlate datafrom the inventory component (discussed in greater detail below)regarding the inventory contained by the shopping cart, with datarelating to which advertisements are displayed to a consumer by thecart. In such an exemplary embodiment, the correlation component isoperably coupled to the locationing component, the video display 75 andthe ECM 200, such that the correlation component receives the inventoryfrom the inventory component, correlates it with advertisements that arestored or streamed to the ECM 200, and stores the correlation. Thecorrelation may then be used in selecting which advertisement chosenfrom a plurality of advertisements are displayed based on the locationof the cart. For example, if the inventory is known to include items forhosting a party, the correlation of the inventory with theadvertisements and the location of the cart may be used to display oneor more advertisements for additional items used for hosting a party.

The shopping cart system may further comprise a shopping list componentfor listing one or more products of a customer shopping list forpurchase by the consumer. The shopping list component is operablycoupled to the video display 75 of the cart 10 such that the shoppinglist may be displayed, either prominently, or as a less prominentdisplay, with, for example, a menu of options or advertisements. In anembodiment, the shopping list component may comprise hardware, software,or a combination of hardware and software operable to carry out thefunction of maintaining, updating, and/or displaying a customer shoppinglist. In an embodiment, the hardware and software are co-housed andaffixed to the cart 10, while in another embodiment, the hardware maycomprise a unit affixed to the cart 10 (as will be discussed below) andthe software may be stored and/or executed from a separate unit, such asthe ECM 200, the ISS 330, POS computer 326 at the Point of Sale 300 orother networked system component, in conjunction with the hardwareaffixed to the cart.

In an embodiment, the shopping list component comprises the ECM 200 inconjunction with software operating thereon, populated with a customershopping list. In an embodiment, the customer shopping list compriseshistorical data associated with the consumer 85 by way of the consumer'sloyalty card, pin code, telephone number or other customer identifierassociated with the consumer 85. The historical data relates to productsthat the consumer has purchased in the past or products that theconsumer has listed in a customer shopping list previously. Consumeridentifiers comprise a data reference that is unique to the consumer ortheir household. For example, a customer loyalty card may be associatedwith an identification number that is unique to the consumer or theirhousehold. Stores often offer customer loyalty cards to consumers, whichconsumers use in order to enjoy coupons, discounts and other advantagesprovided by the store to its loyal consumers. The loyalty card mayadditionally be linked with store services, such as a pharmacy, in-storedeli, automotive service station, and the like, to track and record theconsumer's needs relating to that service. A consumer may additionallyidentify themselves to the store using a pin code assigned by the storeor their telephone number in order to receive discounts, coupons, andtrack usage of the store's services. The store may use the identifiersto track shopping of consumers for inventorying purposes as well astargeting advertisements and discounts to consumers based on what theyactually buy.

In an embodiment, the customer shopping list for future shopping tripsis generated by the inventory in the cart 10 during a present shoppingtrip. In such an exemplary embodiment, the shopping list component isoperably coupled to the inventory component and the ECM 200 (or othernetworked component) to store the inventory of the cart 10 during ashopping trip, and store the purchases made based on the inventory atthe Point of Sale 300. In such an embodiment, the stored inventory maybe associated with a particular consumer by way of their customerloyalty card, pin code, telephone number or other consumer identifier.The stored inventory may then be used by the shopping list component togenerate a customer shopping list.

In an embodiment, the customer shopping list may be downloaded from astore website and associated with the consumer's identity, such thatwhen the loyalty card is scanned or other identifier is entered, thecustomer shopping list becomes available in the cart 10 to the consumer85. In such an embodiment, when the consumer identifier is entered orscanned, the list downloaded from the store website may be streamed orwireless communicated from the ISS 330 via the access points to the ECM200, and displayed. Alternatively, in an embodiment a shopping liststored in a PDA, handheld computer, mobile telephone or other electronicdevice may be downloaded to the ECM 200 through wireless, infrared,Bluetooth, and like known techniques, the details of which are notmaterial herein, and the shopping list component will display thedownloaded list, and enable the functions described herein.Alternatively, in an embodiment a shopping list may be emailed to thestore system for transfer to a cart 10.

In still another embodiment, the customer shopping list is generatedbased one or more products selected by the consumer; wherein the one ormore products are selected by the consumer by scanning a bar code on aproduct, placing a RFID tagged product in the shopping cart 10, anddownloaded by the consumer in a list. In such an embodiment, the ECM 200is operably coupled to the inventory component to store the identity ofproducts purchased by the consumer before to generate a list. In such anembodiment, the ECM 200 is operable to store the identity of productspreviously placed in the cart 10 by the consumer to generate a list.

In an embodiment, the shopping list component is operably coupled to thecorrelation component in conjunction with the ECM 200 (as discussedabove) for correlating the inventory contained by the shopping cart 10with the shopping list to determine which products on the list arepresent in the shopping cart 10.

In an embodiment, the shopping list component is operably coupled to theECM 200, the locationing component and the video display 75 fordisplaying an advertisement on the video display 75 for a product on theshopping list when the cart 10 is located proximate to the product. Insuch an exemplary embodiment, the locationing component determines wherethe cart is located in the store, the shopping list component determineswhich products on the customer shopping list are located nearby the cartbased on its location, and the ECM 200 displays in the video display 75at least one advertisement based on the cart 10 being located near toproducts on the shopping list.

In use, in an embodiment, the customer shopping list may be displayed inthe video display 75 as a less prominent display with advertisements, oras a prominent display when selected by a consumer. By prominence, it ismeant that the shopping list may be displayed as a larger, primarydisplay on the video display 75 while advertisements are displayed insmaller, secondary display(s) on the video display 75 adjacent to theshopping list. As will be described further below, and as shown in FIG.16, in an embodiment, the screen 77 of the video display 75 may bedivided into a plurality of screen segments 308, such that one of theplurality of stored advertisements 307 may be displayed in variousscreen segment 308 while a shopping list may be displayed in a screensegment 308. In an embodiment, one of the plurality of screen segments308 may be designated for display of consumer specific information, suchas the customer shopping list.

The shopping list component may organize the products on the customershopping list with locations in the store for each product on the list,and display the customer shopping list according to location. Forexample, the shopping list component may organize all the products onthe customer shopping list according to a department of the store, oraccording to which aisle the products are located on, in order tofacilitate shopping by the consumer.

In use, in an embodiment, the shopping list component, coupled to thecorrelation component, correlates the customer shopping list to theinventory of the cart 10, such that when a RFID tagged product from thecustomer shopping list is scanned by the basket RFID reader 227 orscanned by the scanner 215, the product is checked off the customershopping list. In an embodiment, the consumer may check off a productfrom the customer shopping list. In the video display, the product mayappear as checked off, or may be removed from the shopping list onceadded to the inventory of the cart.

In use, in an embodiment, the selection of advertisements displayed tothe consumer may be correlated to the customer shopping list by theshopping list component, the correlation component (as discussed herein)and the ECM 200 or other networked component.

In an embodiment, the shopping list component is further operable, inconjunction with the ECM 200 or other networked component, for aconsumer to select a recipe, and generate a customer shopping list basedon the ingredients used for preparing the recipe. In such an embodiment,the consumer may select a recipe (either stored in the ECM 200, orstreamed to the cart 10), and the ingredients necessary for preparingthe recipe (also either stored in the ECM 200, or streamed to the cart10) are added by the shopping list component to the customer shoppinglist.

In embodiment, the shopping cart system further comprises a voiceactivated interface 120. In an embodiment, a voice activated interface120 comprising a microphone array 121 and a voice activation button 122may be inset in the handle 22 of the cart 10 and/or in pod 150. In anembodiment, the microphone array 120 may comprise any number ofmicrophones, including as few as a single microphone, for exampleintegrated with pod 150. In an embodiment, the microphone array 121comprises from 2 to 4 embedded microphones inset at intervals along thelength of the handle 22. In an embodiment, a voice activation button 122may activate the microphone array 120. In an embodiment, the voiceactivation button 122 may comprise a button of a five-way navigationdevice 123 or other navigation device and the microphone(s) may behoused in the pod 150. By pressing the voice activation button 122, theconsumer 85 may activate a voice command option, enabling the consumer85 to request the cart 10 to display the location of a particularproduct or other detailed information from a list of options on thevideo display 75. In an embodiment, the microphone array 120 hasbuilt-in noise cancellation capabilities.

In an embodiment, the voice activated interface 120, microphone array121 and voice activation button 122 are operably coupled to the ECM 200.In an embodiment, the ECM 200 may store voice recognition softwareoperable to process a spoken input from the consumer 85 through themicrophone array 121 upon activation of the voice command option. TheECM 200 may determine an answer to the spoken question (which mayinvolve reference to a database of product information) and display theanswer on the video display 75. The answer may be provided graphicallyor in written description form, and may include a location (e.g., map)or a menu of options 124. For example, referring to FIG. 5, an exemplaryresponse to a spoken input is shown. Upon a request by a consumer 85being picked up by the microphone array 121, the video display 75 mayidentify the product requested (i.e. “ACME cottage cheese”), and displaya written description 125 of the location of the product requested, aswell as a graphical display 126 of a map of the store indicating thelocation 127 of the product requested with indication of the currentlocation 128 of the cart. The video display 75 may simultaneouslydisplay a list of other options 124, e.g., a list of available voicecommands, as well as one or more advertisements 306 in the plurality ofscreen segments 308, wherein the advertisements 306 are selected from aplurality of stored advertisements, as will be described in greaterdetail herein.

In an embodiment, the voice recognition software may comprise VoCon3200™ software, commercially available from SCANSOFT™ or an equivalentsoftware having similar voice recognition capabilities. In anembodiment, the voice activated interface 120, operably coupled to theECM 200, may be re-activated from hibernation along with the ECM 200when the motion sensor(s) 36 detects that the cart 10 is in motion.

In embodiment, the shopping cart system further comprises a speaker orother audio output device such as wired or wireless headphones operablycoupled to the ECM 200. In an embodiment, a speaker or array of speakersmay be inset in the handle 22 of the cart 10 and/or in pod 150. In anembodiment, the array of speakers may comprise any number and/or size ofspeakers, including as few as a single speaker, for example integratedwith pod 150. In an embodiment, the speaker is a one inch audio speaker.

In an embodiment, the speaker may be operable to play audio portions ofadvertising corresponding to advertisements displayed on the videodisplay 75. In an embodiment, the speaker may be operable to makeannouncements, such as a store announcement, or annunciate a successfulscan, by audibly alerting the consumer when a product is scanned by thescanner 215 or when a RFID tagged product is added to the cart 10. In anembodiment, the speaker enables a customer service representative tospeak with a consumer using the cart, resulting in saving the consumerfrom having to go stand in line at a customer service counter. In anembodiment, the speaker enables a store employee to speak with aconsumer using the cart to alert the consumer to the status of theirorder at an in-store service such as a deli, pharmacy or automotivecenter.

In an embodiment, the shopping cart system may further comprise aninventory component for determining an inventory contained by the cart10. The inventory component is operable to take an inventory of productsplaced in the basket 20 or products placed on the base tray 50. Theinventory component may, in an embodiment, be operable to determine theinventory automatically without any action on the part of the consumerbeyond placing a product in the cart 10. Alternatively, the inventorycomponent may, in an embodiment, rely on some action by the consumer inorder to determine the inventory of the cart 10, such as determining theinventory of the cart 10 when the consumer scans a product and placesthe product in the cart 10.

In an embodiment, the inventory component comprises hardware andsoftware operable to carry out the inventorying function. In anembodiment, the hardware and software are co-housed and affixed to thecart 10, while in another embodiment, the hardware may comprise a unitaffixed to the cart 10 (as will be discussed below) and the software maybe stored and/or executed from a separate unit, such as the ECM 200, thePOS computer 326 at the Point of Sale 300 or other networked systemcomponent, in conjunction with the hardware affixed to the cart. Variouscomputing and communication components may use any suitable wired orwireless communications protocol such as those described herein.

In use, in an embodiment, the inventory component, in conjunction withthe ECM 200 and the correlation component, is operable (as discussedabove) to determine the inventory contained by a shopping cart,correlate the inventory to the unique identity of the shopping cart,convey the unique identity of the shopping cart to a Point of Sale 300(or other retailer system), and convey the inventory of the shoppingcart to a Point of Sale 300 (or other retailer system).

In use, in an embodiment, the inventory component is operably coupled tothe ECM 200 and the identification component (discussed in greaterdetail herein). The identification component associates a uniqueidentity with a shopping cart and the inventory component determines aninventory of the shopping cart. The correlation component (discussed ingreater detail herein) correlates the inventory to the unique identityof the shopping cart, and the ECM 200 conveys the inventory of theshopping cart, or the correlation of the inventory to the uniqueidentity to a retailer system, or the identification component conveysthe unique identity of the shopping cart, or any combination thereof.

In use, in an embodiment, the inventory component determines aninventory contained by the cart 10. The inventory component is operablecoupled to the shopping list component, the correlation component (bothdiscussed in greater detail herein), the ECM 200 and the video display75. The inventory component determines the inventory contained by ashopping cart, the shopping list component displays on the video display75 a customer shopping list, the shopping list comprising one or moreproducts for purchase. The correlation component correlates theinventory contained by the shopping cart with the shopping list todetermine which products on the list are present in the shopping cart;and convey the inventory and the shopping list to a Point of Sale 300 atthe time of purchase. Preferably, conveying the inventory and shoppinglist to the Point of Sale 300 is done wirelessly by the ECM 200, forexample via any suitable wireless protocol such as those describedherein.

In an exemplary embodiment, the inventory component may comprise atleast one basket RFID reader 227 with one or more RFID antennas 228 inconjunction with the ECM 200 and software operating thereon. The numberand position of the antennas 228 may be selected as functionally needed,as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. In an embodiment, thebasket RFID reader 227 with RFID antennas 228 may be located anywhere onthe basket 20 and/or base tray 20 such products having RFID tags (eitherpassive or active RFID tags) may be scanned as they are placed in thebasket and/or base tray 20. Each RFID tag on a product is associatedwith an industry standard Electronic Product Code (“EPC”), giving theindividual product a unique identity. In an embodiment, the basket RFIDreader 227 may be integrated with the ECM, for example located withinhousing 199. Alternatively, the basket RFID reader 227 or may be locatedat other positions on the cart, for example located on the underside ofthe cart 10, secured by means of attachment to, for example, the bottom21 of the basket 20, or to the base tray 50. In an embodiment, thebasket RFID reader 227 and/or the antennas 228 may be integrated withthe video display 75, for example as part of the base 76 as shown inFIG. 13. Alternatively, the RFID antennas 228 may be located along theedges 26, 27 or 29 as shown in FIG. 13; the side walls 23, 24; frontside wall 28; rear side wall 31, or combinations thereof on basket 20and/or base tray 50.

As products are placed in the basket 20 and/or base tray 50, andidentification information (including, in an embodiment, the product EPCdescribed above) is provided to the ECM 200, which may be furthercorrelated with additional information such as price, productinformation, advertising, etc. In an embodiment, information may furtherbe displayed on the video display 75, for example information pertainingto the product placed in the basket, added to a running total of theproducts in the cart 10, etc. The basket RFID reader 227 with RFIDantennas 228 may automatically detect when an product has been removedfrom the cart 10 and placed back on a shelf, and will convey to the ECM200 that the product has been removed, thus deducting the removedproduct from the running total displayed on the video display 75. Thenetwork transceiver 204 may additionally convey information about aproduct placed in or removed from the cart 10 to various networkcomponents as will be described in greater detail herein. In anembodiment, the cart 10 is a plastic cart as described herein whichlessens or eliminates interference associated with basket RFID reader227 and RFID antennas 228. In an embodiment, the cart 10 is a cartcomprising metal, plastic, or a combination of plastic and metal that isretrofitted with the media enhancements described here.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inventory component alternativelyor additionally comprises a scanner 215, for example a bar code scanner.In an embodiment, the scanner 215 is inset in the handle 22 and/or inpod 150 of the cart 10. In an embodiment, the scanner 215 may beattached to or incorporated with any portion of the basket 20, such asthe side wall 23 or 24, the front side wall 28 or the rear side wall 31,in a manner that is accessible to the consumer 85 who is using the cart10. Various attachment devices and means for attaching as describedherein may be used with the scanner 215. The scanner 215 enablesoptional self-scanning of products for purchase, coupons, loyalty cards,and any other object having a bar code or Universal Product Code (“UPC”)by the consumer 85. In an embodiment, the scanner 215 may be activatedby the consumer 85 by bringing any product with a barcode symbol withina set proximity of the scanner 215. In an embodiment, the scanner 215may be activated by a proximity sensor 216, which may comprise a portionof the scanner 215 or may be operably coupled to the scanner 215. Likethe scanner 215, the proximity sensor 216 may likewise be integratedwith pod 150. The scanner 215 may be any suitable scanner such as alaser scanner, CCD scanner, 2D imager, and the like. In an embodiment,the scanner 215 may comprise a linear imager scanner commerciallyavailable from HAND HELD PRODUCTS™ or an equivalent or improvementthereof. The scanner 215 may, in an embodiment, scan symbols, such as aUPC or European Article Numbering (“EAN”) System codes, in anomni-directional manner.

In an embodiment, the inventory component may comprise the scanner 215,in conjunction with the ECM 200 and software operating thereon. In anembodiment, the inventory component is operable to determine thecontents of the shopping cart based on what products the consumer 85 hasscanned and placed in the shopping cart. In an embodiment, the scanner215 is operably coupled to the ECM 200, such that as products arescanned and placed in the cart 10, the ECM 200 stores in local memory202 a running total of the products in the cart 10 for purchase. Uponarriving at the checkout counter, known as the Point of Sale 300, theECM 200 may communicate information regarding the products that werescanned by the consumer 85 to a POS computer 326 at the Point of Sale300 or other networked system component, to be discussed in greaterdetail herein.

In an embodiment, the scanner 215, operably coupled to the ECM 200, maybe hibernated or re-activated from hibernation along with the ECM 200when the motion sensor(s) 36 detects that the cart 10 is in motion orstopped. Specifically, in an embodiment, the scanner 215 may behibernated, or powered down, for power conservation purposes, when thecart 10 is in motion. When the consumer 85 stops pushing the cart 10 andthe cart 10 becomes still while the consumer 85 is selecting products topurchase, the scanner 215 is re-activated such that the consumer 85 mayscan products for purchase and place them in the cart 10. The motionsensor(s) 36 alone or in combination with other locator or positioningsystems/data (for example, RFID scans and/or other locator/positioningmeans) enable this hibernation/reactivation function of the scanner 215.In alternative embodiments, other cart systems may be activated ordeactivated based upon detection of motion or stoppage of the cart inorder to conserve power and maximize battery life. For example, the barcode reader may be turned off when the cart is moving, the RFIDreader/antennae may be turned off when the cart is stopped, the videodisplay may be turned off when the cart is nested or is immobile for anextended time, or combinations thereof. Again, motion of the cart may bedetected for example via a motion sensor such as a reed switch and/ormercury switch alone or in combination with other sensing means suchinterpreting read data from the RFID tags.

In an embodiment, the shopping cart system may further comprise anavigation device, for example a five-way navigation device 123. Inalternative embodiments, other navigation devices may be used inaddition to or in lieu of the five-way navigation device 123, forexample hard or soft hot buttons, a joystick, touch panel/screen, orcombinations thereof. As an additional user interface to the ECM 200 andother features of the cart 10, in an embodiment, a five-way navigationdevice 123 may be inset in the handle 22 or in the pod 150. The five-waynavigation device 123 typically allows for input (e.g., navigation of amenu) via up, down, left, right, and enter functions. In an embodiment,the five-way navigation device 123 may be used to activate themicrophone array 121 for voice recognition features, or may be used tonavigate through a menu of options 124 shown on the video display 75. Inan embodiment, the menu of options 124 may comprise such selectionsas: 1) a “Help” option, enabling the consumer 85 to request the locationof a particular product, 2) an interface with an in-store pharmacy forthe consumer 85 to request the status of their prescription or receivenotification of prescription availability, 3) an interface with anin-store deli for the consumer 85 to make a deli order or receivenotification of order availability, 3) an interface for notification tothe consumer 85 of completion of in-store auto servicing, 4) aninterface for interaction between the consumer 85 and customer servicepersonnel for services such as rain checks, and other functions forin-store services.

In an embodiment, the shopping cart system may further comprise theftand tamper deterrence design features. The shopping cart, due to thenature of the electronic components used as well as the programming inthe computer, may be targeted for theft and tampering. To this end, thevarious electronics assemblies for the components discussed herein aredesigned such that if a given cart is disassembled without customizedtools and/or in an improper sequence of disassembly, the electronicsassemblies are rendered non-functional by virtue of damage incurred byimproper disassembly.

For example, the main logic board of the ECM 200 may be designed havingthe printed circuit board traces laid out with critical circuit tracesresiding in close proximity to mounting holes, such as within a fewthousands of an inch from the mounting hole. The logic board then wouldbe mounted to the casing and ECM 200 frame using a screw with acustomized head, thereby requiring a customized tool for putting in orremoving the screw. If the board is subsequently forced from the casingby someone lacking the customized tool, the critical traces would bedamaged, and the board would be non-functional to a degree beyond repairwithout design schematics for the printed circuit board.

In another example, the video display 75, which is described in moredetail below and that may comprise a liquid crystal display (“LCD”),includes theft deterrence and tampering design features. The videodisplay 75 may include two primary physical elements, namely the LCDdisplay screen and the LCD controller board that interfaces the LCDdisplay screen via a flex circuit. The flex circuit connections to theLCD display screen are fragile and will not withstand flexing orpulling. A thin, insulating metal retaining bar may be added that runsthe length of the flex circuit between the LCD display screen and theLCD controller board, and secured in place by a screw or screws with acustomized head, thereby requiring a customized tool for removal. If themetal retaining bar is not removed using the appropriate customized tooland in a particular sequence that avoids flexing or pulling the flexcircuit connections, the LCD assembly would be rendered non-functionalto a degree beyond repair.

In an embodiment, the cart further comprises a battery 135 operablycoupled to the ECM 200, the video display 75, voice activated interface120, the bar code scanner 215, and any other component of the cartrequiring power. In an embodiment, the battery 135 is a standardLithium-Ion battery or other similar battery. In an embodiment, thebattery 135 may be attached to the underside of the cart 10, by means ofattachment to, for example, the bottom 21 of the basket 20, or to thebase tray 50. Various attachment devices and means for attaching asdescribed herein may be used with the battery 135. In an embodiment, thebattery 135 may be integrated with the ECM 200. For example, a batteryhousing or compartment may be integrally molded from plastic with theECM 200 housing 199 such that the battery is part of the ECM 200. In anembodiment, the battery 135 is rechargeable.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, in an embodiment, the cart 10 mayfurther comprise one or more battery charger contact plates 105. FIG. 6is a front view of a cart 10 recharging in a recharge stall 111. In anembodiment, the battery charger contact plate 105 may be located on thebase side member 32 and/or 33, the side member 16 and/or 17, or the sidewall 23 and/or 24. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a singlebattery charger contact plate 105 may be disposed on each side of cart10, thereby providing a pair of battery charger contact plates for eachcart. In an embodiment, the battery charger contact plates may bepositioned adjacent the rear wheels 38, for example on the base sidemembers 32, 33 slightly above the real wheel mount. Given that the rearwheel span is typically about the widest part of the cart, as can beseen in FIG. 6, positioning of the battery charger contact plates nearthe rear wheels places them in a low, outboard position on the cart thatis useful in engaging a charge rail system 106 for recharging thebattery. In an embodiment, the battery charger contact plate 105 may bespring-loaded to aid in contacting the contact plate with a charge rail.

FIG. 8A is a side view of charge rail system 106 for recharging thebattery 135 of one or more carts 10. The charge rail system 106comprises a cart corral 110 having a plurality of recharge stalls orlanes 111, with each recharge lane having charge rails 107 and 108. Inan embodiment, the recharge stalls 111 comprise a plurality of chargerail segments 109. In a store, the plurality of charge rail segments 109comprised of charge rails 107 and 108 may be arranged in a cart corral110. The plurality of charge rail segments 109 may be arranged in one ormore rows of recharge stalls 111.

FIG. 8B is a side view of two charge rail segments 109 forming a singlerecharge stall 111. Each charge rail segment 109 comprises a floorsection 113, a charge rail wall 114, and optionally a stall wall 115,which may be transparent as shown in the Figures or may benon-transparent. Charge rails 107, 108 are disposed on either side ofcharge rail wall 114, as is shown more clearly in FIG. 6. In anembodiment, a plurality of charge rail segments 109 may attach togetherin an end-to-end fashion (as indicated by reference arrows 116) or in aside-to-side fashion (as indicated by reference arrows 117) to form therecharge stalls 111 and cart corral 110. As shown in FIG. 8B, the sideedge 118 of the floor section 113 may be configured to mate or interlockwith the side edge 119 of charge rail wall 114 of an adjacent chargerail segment 109. Likewise, front and rear edges 129, 130 of the floorsection 113 may configured to mate or interlock with corresponding frontand rear edges from adjacent charge rail segments 109.

In an embodiment, the charge rail system 106 further comprises a powersupply 112 which may be mounted on a wall or other permanent fixture forproviding power to the carts 10. The power supply 112 may be plugged inand operably connected to the charge rails 107 and 108. Likewise, theplurality of charge rail segments further comprise connections such thatpower is supplied to the entire cart corral grid via the connection ofadjacent charge rail segments 109.

In operation, a cart 10 may be fed into a cart corral 110 by a consumer85 or store employee placing it in a recharge stall 111. In anembodiment, the recharge stall 111 may be sized such that the chargerail segments 109 are spaced apart adequately (e.g., about equal to therear wheel span of the cart 10) such that the cart 10 fits between thecharge rail segments 109 securely enough for the battery charger contactplate 105 to come into contact with the charge rails 107 and 108, asshown in FIG. 7. Contact between a battery charger contact plates andcharge rails 107 and 108 forms a flow path for electrical currentbetween power source 112 and the battery 135 such that the battery ischarged. Rechargeable batteries are well known in the art, as aremethods of charging such rechargeable batteries from a power source. Inan embodiment, a first contact plate 105 and a first charge rail (e.g.,107 or 108) form a positive terminal of the electrical connection and asecond contact plate 105 and a second charge rail (e.g., 107 or 108)form a negative terminal of the electrical connection. While dualcontact plates and charge rails are shown, the charge rail system may beconfigured to operate using a single contact plate 105 on the cartand/or a single charge rail 107 or 108.

In an embodiment, each charge rail 107 or 108 may be spring loaded, eachbattery charger contact plate 105 may be spring loaded, or both may bespring loaded. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the charge rail 107further comprises a spring 140 biasing a rail plate 141 outward forcontact with the battery charger contact plate 105 located on the cart.The rail plate 141 may be surrounded by rail guard 142. The rail guard142 may be configured to allow contact between the contract plate 105and the rail plate 141 while preventing unwanted contact with rail plate141 which might lead to electrical shock. In an embodiment shown in FIG.7, the rail guard 142 has a concave shape with the rail plate 141extending outward a portion of depth of the concave cavity, but notbeyond the outer edges 144 of the rail guard 142. The contact plate 105may have a corresponding convex shape, thereby allowing contact betweenthe contact plate 105 and the rail plate 141. When a cart 10 is fed intoa recharge stall 111, the cooperative shapes and spring loaded nature ofthe battery charger contact plate 105 and/or the charge rail 107 or 108cause them to be in contact with each other, creating an electricalconductor between the battery 135 and the power source 112. While FIG. 7is shown with a single charge rail 108 (for example, for use as an endrail assembly for attachment on end 118 of FIG. 8B to form a completestall 111), it should be understood that typically two charge rails 107and 108 will be used in a back-to-back or mirror configuration, as isshown in FIG. 6. The components of the two charge rails 107 and 108 willbe similar to the components shown in FIG. 7 for charge rail 108.

In an embodiment, the plurality of charge rail segments 109 are furtherconfigured to form a cart corral 110 such that a plurality of carts maybe nested and stored therein, and each of the plurality of carts may becharged at the same time by the contact between each battery chargecontact plate 105 of each cart with the charge rails 107 and 108. Forexample, some or all of the carts in a store may be placed in therecharge stalls 111 of the cart corral 110 during off-hours or hourswhen the store is closed in order for the battery 135 of each cart 10 tobe recharged for the next day or busy period of time.

In alternative embodiments, the contact plates 105 may be positioned atother locations on the cart 10 and the charge rail system 106 may bemodified accordingly to provide contact with such plates as describedpreviously. In an embodiment, contact plates 230, 231 are positionedadjacent to and/or integral with ECM 200 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 12,which may be advantageous in simplifying and shortening the flow pathbetween the charge plates and the battery 135, especially when thebattery 135 in integrated in ECM 200. Contact plates 230, 231 wouldtypically be used in lieu of contact plates 105, as shown in FIG. 12,provided however that dual sets of contact plates 105 and 230, 231 couldbe used if desired as shown in FIG. 6. The location of charge rails 107and 108 would be modified, for example raised and/or extended, to engagewith contact plates 230, 231 positioned adjacent to and/or integral withECM 200. Likewise, the contact plates 230, 231 could be mounted in aposition extending outward from the ECM 200 as needed to facilitateengagement with the charge rails 107 and 108. For example, contactplates 230, 231 may be mounted on protruding or bulbous ECM 200 sideplates 235, as shown in FIG. 12.

An alternative charge rail configuration is shown in FIGS. 8C-E. Therecharge stall embodiment shown in FIGS. 8C-E may likewise be modular innature as described herein. FIG. 8C is a partial front view of cart 10recharging in a recharge stall 111. A charging module 190 is mounted tothe wheel yoke 191 of rear wheels 138, for example via one or more boltsor other connectors. In an alternative embodiment, the charging module190 may be mounted to the frame 30 or the underside of base tray 50.Preferably, the charging module 190 is mounted inboard of the rearwheels 38 and outboard of the front wheels 37, and more preferably onthe interior side of rear wheel yoke 191. A battery charger contactplate 105 extends downward from the charging module 190. The batterycharger contact plate 105 may be spring loaded to aid in contacting thecontact plate with a charge rail.

Charge rails 107 and 108 extend upward from the floor section 113 ofrecharge stall 111. As shown in FIG. 8C, when a cart 10 is positioned ina recharge stall 111, the charge rails 107, 108 are positioned inboardof the rear wheels 38 and outboard of the front wheels 37 and serve toguide the cart into the proper position for recharging. While positionedin recharge stall 111, the battery charger contact plates 111 enterslots 192 on charge rails 107, 108 and make contact with rail plate 141such that electricity may pass from the recharge stall 111 and chargebattery 135. Rail plate 141 may be spring loaded in addition to or inlieu of spring-loading the battery charger contact plate 105 to aid incontact there between. The slots 192 in charge rails 107, 108 may befully or partially covered by a flexible material such as plastic or anylon brush to prevent debris from entering the slots 192. Such flexiblematerial may be pushed aside by the battery charge plate 105 as itenters the slots 192.

As shown in FIGS. 8D and 8E, the charging module 190 may furthercomprise a contact plate cover 195. As shown in FIG. 8D, when the cartis not in a charge stall 111, the contact plate cover 195 extendsdownward to cover and protect the battery charge plate 105. As shown inFIGS. 8D and 8E, the contact plate cover 195 may comprise a generallyU-shaped member having a gap or protective arm extending there from forreceipt of the battery charge plate 105 in a closed position. Thecontact plate cover 195 may be biased in a closed position, for examplewith a spring. When a cart is positioned inside a recharge stall 111,the contact plate cover 195 is pushed upward via contact with an upperportion 196 of charge rails 107, 108, thereby placing the contact platecover 195 in an open position as is shown in FIG. 8E.

In still further embodiments, the charge rail system 106 is operable toaccept a cart 10 in both directions, and fully charge the cart 10. Thatis, the charge rail system 106 allows for DC charging voltages to beaccepted in either direction (positive to ground or ground to positive).A Power Management Unit (referred to herein as the “PMU”) of the chargerail system 106 senses the presence of a cart 10 on the charge rails 107and 108. Upon DC power contact, the PMU determines battery 135 capacityfrom previous battery readings prior to charging. The PMU may theninitiate LED status indicators on the charging device (here, a cart 10)to indicate a level of charge and when charging has commenced.

In an embodiment, the PMU comprises a PIC processor in the charging unitand firmware. The PIC processor of the PMU communicates with theprocessor in the ECM 220 on the cart 10. The PMU monitors thecommunication control between the host cart ECM 200 and the PMUcommunication interface. If loss of communication occurs, defaultprotocols may be executed. For example, the charge rails of the hostsystem (i.e., cart) are shut down and reset or power to the system(e.g., cart) may be otherwise cycled, thereby preventing lockupconditions with the host ECM 200 and other subassemblies.

The PMU calculates the appropriate charging algorithm to charge thebattery 135. In various embodiments, the calculation of the appropriatecharging algorithm may be based upon voltage and/or temperaturecalculations. In various embodiments, the PMU uses measurement averagingroutines to determine the charge routines, such as trickle charge, fullcharge, or over/low voltage fault conditions. Averaging helps tomitigate the effects of contact chatter when the device being charged(i.e., the cart 10) traverses the charge rails 107 and 108 (i.e.,impedance fluctuations and the like). In an embodiment, the PMU imposesa delay (e.g., 5 or 10 seconds) from first contact to allow time for thecart to become fully nested and stop moving prior to commencingcharging.

Additionally, the PMU senses error conditions for voltage levels or ifthe PMU loses communication with the host (i.e. the cart ECM 200), thenthe PMU initiates a self-reset to recover and reestablish communicationwith the cart 10. Error conditions may include for example too low avoltage, or a very high voltage. Either case could indicate a bad cellin the battery 135, which would indicate that the battery 135 should notbe charged with full charge. Error conditions are set in the PMU.

To prevent deep battery discharge of the cart 10, the PMU in stillfurther embodiments, senses voltage level of the cart 10 and calculatesremaining charge capacity. If the capacity approaches a predeterminedthreshold (such as 20% of remaining capacity, or in an illustrativesystem 11 volts), a warning message is issued via the communicationsport for system action. If the low voltage condition persists after apredetermined period of time, the PMU may automatically shut down theentire system, thereby preserving the PMU power needed for subsequentoperation (i.e. reboot) and allowing the device (i.e., cart 10) to becharged without replacing the battery 135.

In additional power management features, the PMU may be operable to shutdown certain functions of the device to conserve system power duringcharging. For example, while the cart 10 is within the corral 110, theLCD is not needed, the RFID is not needed, and the like, while thewireless connection is still needed. By shutting off cart features thatconsume significant amounts of power while charging, faster charging isenabled.

As shown in the Figures, a video display 75 is attached or mounted(referred to collectively hereinafter as attached) to the basket 20 ofthe shopping cart 10. Attachment of the video display 75 to the basket20 is in contrast to attachment of the video display 75 to the handle22. In other words, the video display 75 is not attached or mounted tothe handle 22. As shown in FIG. 10, the video display 75 may comprise abase 76 and a screen 77 having a viewable area 78. In an embodiment, thevideo display 75 is attached to the basket 20 such that the viewablearea 78 is above the interior 54 of the basket as previously defined.Unless otherwise specified, attaching the video display 75 such that theviewable area is above the interior 54 of the cart includes, in variousalternative embodiments, having the viewable area 78 entirely above theinterior 54; having the viewable area 78 substantially above theinterior 54; or having greater than 50, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or99 percent of the viewable area 78 above the interior 54.

In another embodiment, the video display 75 is attached to the basket 20such that the viewable area 78 is in a field of vision 84 of a consumer85 pushing the cart 10 via the handle 22. Referring to FIG. 9, field ofvision 84 refers to the area having a lower boundary 80 defined by anunobstructed line of sight from the eyes of consumer 85 to the an upperedge of the basket (e.g., front edge 29) and an upper boundary 81defined by a line of sight from the eyes of the consumer 85 to an upperperiphery of the consumer's vision. Unless otherwise specified,attaching the video display such that the viewable area is in consumer'sfield of vision 84 includes, in various alternative embodiments, havingthe viewable area 78 entirely in the field of vision 84; having theviewable area 78 substantially in the field of vision 84; or havinggreater than 50, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 99 percent of theviewable area 78 in the field of vision 84. The field of vision 84 mayvary based upon the height of the consumer 85, and in an embodiment theshopping cart 10 is configured and the video display 75 is attached tothe basket 20 such that the viewable area 78 is in a field of vision 84of a consumer 85 having a height of equal to or greater than 5 feet and0 inches. The field of vision 84 may also vary based upon the positionof the child seat 60 or the presence of a child seated therein, and inan embodiment the shopping cart 10 is configured and the video display75 is attached to the basket 20 such that the viewable area 78 is in afield of vision 84 of a consumer 85 having a height of equal to orgreater than 5 feet and 0 inches when the child seat 60 is empty andfolded in a closed position. The field of vision 84 may also vary basedupon the position of products in the basket, and in an embodiment theshopping cart 10 is configured and the video display 75 is attached tothe basket 20 such that the viewable area 78 is in a field of vision 84of a consumer 85 having placed products in the basket, wherein saidproducts do not extend outside or above the interior 54 of the basket aspreviously defined.

In another embodiment, the video display 75 is attached to an upper edge26 or 27, or front edge 29 of the basket 20. For example, the base 76 ofthe video display 75 may be attached to an upper edge 26 or 27, or frontedge 29 of the basket 20. Various attachment devices and means forattaching as described herein may be used with the video display. In anembodiment, the base 76 of the video display may be attached to an upperedge 26 or 27, or front edge 29 of the basket 20 such that the viewablearea 78 is above the interior 54 of the basket as discussed previously.In an embodiment, the base 76 of the video display may be attached to anupper edge 26 or 27, or front edge 29 of the basket 20 such that theviewable area 78 is in a field of vision 84 of a consumer 85 pushing thecart 10 via the handle 22 as discussed previously.

In another embodiment, the base 76 of the video display may be attachedto walls 23 or 24, front side wall 28, and rear side wall 31 on theinterior or the exterior of the basket 20. In an embodiment, the base 76of the video display may be attached to a wall 23 or 24, front side wall28, and rear side wall 31 on the interior or the exterior of the basket20 such that the viewable area 78 is above the interior 54 of the basketas discussed previously. In an embodiment, the base 76 of the videodisplay may be attached to a wall 23 or 24, front side wall 28, and rearside wall 31 on the interior or the exterior of the basket 20 such thatthe viewable area 78 is in a field of vision 84 of a consumer 85 pushingthe cart 10 via the handle 22 as discussed previously.

In another embodiment, the video display 75 is attached to the nose 45of the cart 10. The nose of the cart 45 is a well known area to thoseskilled in the art. In various embodiments, nose of the cart 45 refersto the frontward most ⅓ of the basket 20, alternatively the frontwardmost ¼ of the basket, alternatively the frontward most ⅕ of the basket,alternatively the frontward most 1/10 of the basket, alternatively thefront wall 28, alternatively front edge 29. In an embodiment, the noseof the cart is shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11. In various embodiments, thevideo display may be attached to the nose of the cart via a wall or anupper edge as described previously and the viewable area 78 may be abovethe interior 54 of the basket and/or in a field of vision 84 of aconsumer 85 as described previously. In an embodiment, the base 77 ofthe video display 75 is shaped to conform to or about match the contouror shape of the nose 45 of the cart 10, as is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

The video display 75 may be any suitable electronic display forreceiving and displaying visual images to the consumer 85. The visualimages may be transmitted to the video display 75 by any suitable meansknown in the art such as via a wireless transmission. In an embodiment,the video display 75 is of a type commonly referred to as a flat screendisplay, for example an LCD. The video display 75 may be powered by arechargeable battery 135 attached to the cart 10 and operatively coupledto the video display 75.

In another embodiment, the video display 75 is attached to the basket 20and is foldable or retractable for storage. For example, the videodisplay 75 may fold or retract into the interior 54 of the basket 20 forstorage when the cart 10 is not in use. In an embodiment, the videodisplay 75 is configured to fold or retract such that a plurality ofcarts 10 may be nested for storage as shown in FIG. 12 without damagingthe video display 75. For clarity, the outer cart in FIG. 12 is shownwithout rear side wall 31, with the understanding that rear side wall 31would typically be present in carts used by a consumer 85.

In an embodiment, the base 76 of video display 75 forms a housing inwhich screen 77 may retract. Such housing receives screen 77 in aretracted position and protects the screen 77 from damage. The screen 77may be retracted into such a base housing (comprising a front basehousing 96 and a rear base housing 97) by known means such as rails,slides, rollers, telescoping members, and the like, which may be furtherbiased, for example by springs, as needed. The screen 77 may beretracted to a closed position by pushing on the top 71 of screen 77where the screen 77 is biased up, or by releasing a latch or lock wherethe screen 77 is biased in a retracted position. In an embodiment, thescreen 77 is folded down by contact with another cart when nestedtherewith as shown in FIG. 12 and is biased up such that the screenflips up upon unnesting of the carts.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 13, the video display 75comprises a hinge 79 between the base 76 and the screen 77, which allowsthe screen 77 to fold downward toward the interior 54 of the basket 20into a folded position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In an embodiment,the screen 77 folds at about a 90 degree angle with respect to the base76 (or alternatively folds such that the screen 77 is about within theplane defining the upper edges of the cart), which clears the nose 45and exterior of the cart for nesting with a second cart while alsokeeping the interior of the cart 10 clear such that the rear side wall31 may swing upward into the interior 54 of the basket 20 to receive thefront side wall 28 of a third cart.

With reference to FIG. 14, the screen 77 of video display 75 may furthercomprise a shock absorber 94 protecting an electronic display 95 such asan LCD screen, each of which are disposed between front and rear screenhousings 92, 93. The base 76 of video display 75 may further comprise ahinge 79 disposed between front and rear base housings 96, 97. The hinge79 may further comprise a gear assembly 91 comprising gears, springs,dampeners, or combinations thereof for biasing the hinge in a folded orunfolded position. The gear assembly 91 may be used to control the forcerequired to fold the screen 77 into a folded position, as shown in FIGS.10 and 11, in response to a force applied to a rear screen housing 93 ofthe video display 75. Likewise, the gears assembly 91 may be used tocontrol the speed with which the screen 77 unfolds into an unfoldedposition such as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In an embodiment, the screen 77unfolds in a slow, controlled manner to avoid damaging the screen 77. Inan embodiment, the unfolding of the screen is dampened via dampeners inthe hinge 79 and/or gear assembly 91.

In another embodiment, the video display 75 is attached to the basket 20and may be swiveled such that the viewable area 78 may be viewed fromvarious locations relative to the cart 10. A swivel may be positionedbetween the base 76 and the screen 77 such that the screen 77 may rotateor swivel about the base. The swivel may be integrated with the hinge79, or alternatively may be a separate component, for example positionedbetween the hinge 79 and the screen 77. In embodiments where the videodisplay is mounted on a side edge 26, 27, the video display 75 mayfurther comprise a swivel such that the viewable area 78 may rotated toface rearward toward the consumer 85 while the consumer 85 is pushingthe cart using handle 22. Alternatively, in embodiments where the videodisplay 75 is mounted on the nose 45 of the cart, the video display 75may swivel such that the consumer 85 may see the viewable area 78 fromlocations other than at the rear of the cart. For example, a consumer 85may wish to swivel a nose-mounted screen 77 sideways such that theviewable area 78 is readily viewable while standing at the side or frontof the cart 10. In an embodiment, the video display 75 may swivel about180 degrees such that the viewable area 78 faces forward rather thanfacing rearward toward a consumer 85 pushing the cart 10 via handle 22.From a forward facing position, the video display 75 may further foldinto a folded position such that the screen 77 is on the exterior of thebasket 20 in a folded position, wherein the viewable area 78 isprotected via mating with the base 76.

In another embodiment, the video display 75 is attached to the basket 20and may be heated such that the screen 77 is readily operable in coldenvironments. For example, the video display of FIG. 9 may furthercomprise a heating element, which may be positioned internal or externalto the screen housing 92, 93. Alternatively, the base housing 96 and 97,as described previously, may be heated such that the screen 77 is keptwarm while in a retracted position. Any suitable heating element that iscompatible with the screen components and operation thereof may be used,for example a resistive electrical heating element. The heating elementmay be powered during storage and/or charging of other components of thecart 10, for example during charging of the battery 135 for videodisplay 75.

Referring to FIG. 15, in an embodiment, the cart 10 further comprises aread component comprising at least one aisle Radio FrequencyIdentification (“RFID”) reader 225 with RFID antennas 226, inconjunction with the ECM 200 and software operating thereon. The readcomponent performs a proximity scan of the cart 10 that reads the areasurrounding the cart 10. The number and position of the antennas 226 maybe selected as functionally needed, as would be apparent to one of skillin the art. The aisle RFID reader 225 and the antennas 226 may be anintegrated component or may be separate components. In an embodiment,the aisle RFID reader 225 may be integrated with the ECM 200, forexample located within housing 199. Alternatively, the aisle RFID reader225 or may be located at other positions on the cart, for exampleintegrated into the video display 75 or base/housing 76 or alternativelylocated on the underside of the cart 10, secured by means of attachmentto, for example, the bottom 21 of the basket 20, or to the base tray 50.In an embodiment, the RFID antennas 226 are located on either side ofthe housing 199 of the ECM 200. Alternatively, the RFID antennas 226 maylocated at other positions on the cart, for example on side walls 23,24; on edges 26, 27; on base side members 32, 33; on the sides of thevideo display 75; or any other position suitable for carrying out theirintended function.

In an embodiment, the aisle RFID reader 225 and/or RFID antennas 226 maybe integrated with the video display, for example one or both located onthe side edges of the video display 75. In such a placement, the aisleRFID reader 225 and/or RFID antennas 226 are in a location to maximizethe effectiveness of the reader distribution pattern and encompass RFIDtags located at various heights and locations along the shelves, whenthe video display is not retracted and the cart 10 is not nested.Placement on the video display is advantageous as the RFIDreader/antenna are positioned at approximately the middle of the shelfheight, thereby allowing an about equidistant scan pattern above andbelow the position of the RFID reader/antenna to cover the completeheight of the shelf.

In an embodiment, RFID antennas 226 are placed on the side edges of thevideo display 75. In some embodiments, patch antennas may be used forthe RFID antennas 226. In alternative embodiments, the RFID antennas 226comprise bowtie and/or slot antennas, which narrow the field ofbroadcast for the antenna and have a more focused radiative pattern. Asillustrated for a bowtie-shaped aperture 211 of antenna 212 in FIG. 20Aand for a slot-shaped aperture 213 of antenna 212 in FIG. 20B having anapproximate radiative patterns 207 and 208 of FIGS. 20C and 20D,respectively. In an embodiment, a bowtie or slot antenna having a beamapproximately eighteen (18) inches wide and approximately six (6) toeight (8) feet high is used for the RFID antennas 226, and are placed invertical alignment parallel with the LCD video display (and/or at othersuitable mounting locations on the cart) such that the radiative patternof the antennas provides a narrow slice of broadcast in the directionperpendicular to each side of the cart for reading RFID tags located onthe shelves or on items on the shelves on each side of an aisle. In analternative embodiment, a bowtie or slot antenna having a radiativepattern of plus/minus 45 degrees (90 degrees total) in a vertical planecovering shelf height and plus/minus 15 to 22.5 degrees (30 to 45degrees total) in a horizontal plane covering shelf width is positionedon each side of the cart, for example mounted on or integrated with thevideo display 75. The use of slot and/or bowtie antennas provides a morefocused field of view for the RFID reader to acquire specific tags, andthus may assist in eliminating unwanted interference, echos,reflections, and the like. Thus, the more focused field of view may alsoaid in more accurately determining position/location of the cart, and inparticular in combination with other positioning/locating techniquesdescribed herein.

Various means for attaching and attachment devices may be used asdescribed herein. In an embodiment, the aisle RFID reader 225 with RFIDantennas 226 may comprise a standard or customized RFID configurationcommercially available from for example ThingMagic, Alien Technology™ oran improvement or equivalent thereof. The aisle RFID reader 225 and RFIDantennas function to read a plurality of active or passive RFID tagspositioned throughout a retail establishment (e.g., along shelves), aswill be discussed in more detail. In an embodiment, the cart 10 is aplastic cart as described herein which lessens or eliminatesinterference associated with the aisle RFID reader 225 and RFID antennas226. In an embodiment, the cart 10 is a traditional cart comprisingmetal, plastic, or a combination of metal and plastic, retrofitted withthe aisle RFID reader 225 and RFID antennas 226 and other mediaenhancements.

In or about a store, a consumer 85 may select a cart 10 from the cartcorral 110 upon entering the store. The motion sensor(s) 36 detect thatthe cart 10 is moving when the consumer 85 begins to push the cart 10,and will activate the ECM 200, video display 75, and the aisle RFIDreader 225. As previously noted, various components of the cart 10 maybe hibernated or re-activated based on motion by the cart to preservepower. In an embodiment, the video display 75 may initially show theconsumer 85 a welcome display that includes information about the store,explains the media enhancements to the cart 10, and/or announcesin-store promotions. As shown in FIG. 15, as the consumer 85 pushes thecart 10 through the store, such as between two shelves 301 and 302, aplurality of RFID tags 303 and 304 (which may be active or passive RFIDtags) located on or near the shelves 301 and 302 respectively, willcommunicate with the aisle reader 225 via the antennas 226.

In an embodiment, the RFID tags 303 and 304 may be distributed andaffixed to objects throughout the store premises. For example, RFID tags303 and 304 may be attached (i) at a shelf or fixture level, whichrefers to placement of tags at about regularly spaced intervals along ashelf or other product display areas such as kiosks, pillars, freezers,refrigeration units, walls, bins, and counters; (ii) at a SKU level,which refers to placement and/or incorporation of the tags with or nearthe standard SKU label, with a given product typically having onecorresponding SKU tag positioned on the shelf adjacent the product;(iii) at a product level, which refers to having a tag on eachindividual product or package of products, or (iv) combinations thereof.The aisle reader 225, operably connected to the ECM 200, will convey asignal comprising informational data to the ECM 200, causing the videodisplay 75 to present location-based content to the screen 77. The RFIDenablement of the cart permits advertisers and retail stores to interactwith the consumer 85 as she navigates the store.

The location-based content is determined as follows. In an embodiment,the aisle reader 225 with antennas 226 reads any RFID tag 303 or 304that comes within a cone-shaped pattern defining an electromagnetic zone305 (of the aisle RFID reader 225) on either side of the cart 10. Asnoted previously, the shape of the electromagnetic zone or radiativepattern may be adjusted based upon the type and positioning of the RFIDcomponents on the cart, for example use of bowtie and/or slot antennas.The shape of the electromagnetic zone 305 read by the aisle RFID reader225 may be another shape, other than a cone, according to the particularaisle RFID reader 225 employed, and the range (i.e. proximity withinwhich tags may be read by the reader) is likewise determined by theparticular aisle RFID reader 225 and antenna 226 array employed.

When an RFID tag 303 or 304 passes through the electromagnetic zone 305,the tag is activated and communicates with the aisle RFID reader 225according to known RFID techniques. A locationing component (which in anembodiment comprises the aisle RFID reader 225, in conjunction with theECM 200 and software operating thereon) determines the location of thecart 10 in the store by processing signals from any number of RFID tags303 or 304 that are within range of the aisle RFID reader 225. Thelocation of the cart 10 relative to specific RFID tags 303 or 304 isdetermined according to well known RFID positioning techniques. In anembodiment, location may be determined based on the strength of thesignals coming from the RFID tags 303 and 304 (i.e. highest number ofscans read by the aisle RFID reader 225 indicates which tag or tags 303and 304 are closest).

In an embodiment, the process of locating the cart 10 begins by creatingan electronic representation of the store configuration includingfixtures, aisles, and other relevant data using the location of a numberof reference or anchor RFID tags (e.g., shelf or fixture level tags)placed around the store in known locations. This electronicrepresentation provides a base map of the store. The base store map maybe built using the cart 10 by placing the anchor RFID tags in the knownlocations around the store, taking the cart 10 through various routesthroughout the store to read each of the anchor RFID tags, andcorrelating the read data with the known data. The base store map ismaterialized as either database entries or an xml document generatedfrom the correlated data. The base store map provides reference data fordetermining the location of other goods or items in the store. Asfixtures, items, and/or anchor tags are moved within the store, the basestore map may be updated by taking the cart 10 through the store againto obtain fresh data and correlate it with the updated known anchor RFIDlocations.

Against the backdrop of the anchor RFID tags, a series of virtuallocations are created and positioned within the defined framework of thestore, i.e., the base store map. Each location, such as for example ashelf, freezer fixture, aisle, or produce bin, can then be defined asassociated with one or more anchor RFID tags, which may be active orpassive tags, as previously noted. Such known locations may be used todetermine the location of the cart, for example using the RFID locatorservice software routine described below. Furthermore, the knownlocations may be correlated to specific products, for example via use ofadditional SKU level and/or product level RFID tags. For example, agiven product such milk may be correlated to a specific refrigeratorhaving a known location within the base store map. Via such correlation,the location of specific products can be provided relative to the knownlocation of the cart within the store, and the consumer may be provideddirections to such products.

In various embodiments, subcategories may be used for productpositioning instead of positioning every single product with a locationin the store. Using subcategories simplifies store deployment. Eachproduct is tied to a subcategory, and each subcategory is in turnassociated with a location in the store. Thus, milk may be assigned todairy or milk may be a subcategory including all brands and varieties ofmilk (e.g., whole, skim, etc.).

As discussed herein, the aisle RFID reader 225 is located upon the cartwith the RFID antennae 226 oriented facing outward from the cart. Giventhat the cart and associated RFID reader is mobile within the storewhereas the RFID tags are typically stationary within the store, variousRFID data along with other positioning information (for example, motionsensor data) may be gathered and analyzed using software algorithms, forexample operating on ECM 200 or a remote location such as a store serverand provided to the cart. The antennae configuration (position,orientation, type) is made known in inputs to the software processesinvolved in locating the cart in the store, as well as performing usefultasks such as shelf management for tasks including inventory, pricechanges, and the like. The RFID are evaluated using the known antennaorientation and configuration in order to determine cart orientation.

For instance, at a recurring interval, the aisle RFID reader 225 mayperform an inventory by recording RFID information for products locatedon the shelves and correlating the recorded information with the store'ssystem. The results of the inventory may then be analyzed and used indecisions regarding orders for additional products and product placementin the store.

In locating the cart (which may then be used for determining theplacement of advertisements in the video display 75, store purposes, ordata mining for external or internal uses), for each antenna, the RFIDtags “in view,” or located within the radiative pattern of the antenna226, are evaluated. The evaluation process uses several pieces ofinformation to determine the location of the cart within the store, andspecifically within the electronic base store map defined above.

The RFID locater service software routine that encompasses thesefunctions performs location inventory and store mapping that is used todetermine what any given cart is doing within the store, and provides anadded level of accuracy in addition to the RFID location determination.The intelligence involved in the RFID locater service intelligentlylinks what is read by the aisle RFID reader 225 with information knownabout the store based on the base store map and the known locations ofanchor RFID tags. In an embodiment, the anchor RFID tags may be locatedat regular intervals, such as every 2 feet along the shelves, or on eachside of fixtures such as produce bins, and the like. The RFID locaterservice additionally incorporates knowledge about RFID dead zones, suchas foyers or the locations surrounding large metal fixtures that mayinterfere with RFID signals, so that locating the cart 10 is smooth andcontinuous regardless of where the cart is located in the store. Forexample, metal refrigerators tend to generate a lot of reflections suchthat RFID readings in the vicinity of a refrigerator are full of noise.The RFID locater service can account for known reflections in such anarea, and adjust what the RFID reader 225 reads in such an area.

In an embodiment, location is determined via a scan to determine whatproducts and items are in proximity to the cart (i.e., an inventory oftags read by the scanner) and correlating same to the cart's determinedposition to check the accuracy of the determined position and correctsame as needed. The ECM 200 issues a read command to the aisle RFIDreader 225. The locator software process then evaluates the read RFIDtags (e.g., SKU and/or product level tags) to eliminate tags generatingspurious reads, i.e., those included in the read that are not RFID tagsassociated with a location as established via the anchor RFID tags(e.g., shelf level tags). The remaining tags are then converted tolocations indicated in the map. All of the locations (e.g., all RFID tagdata) may then be evaluated to determine the cart location andorientation relative to the locations defined in the base store map.Such RFID data may be further correlated with other locationing meansand data such as motion sensors such as the reed switch describedherein. In this process, the software assumes and takes into account theanticipated read zone of the two antennae. If evaluated individually,each tag indicates the orientation of the cart. The overall orientationis determined by evaluating the orientation differential of each taglocation from the orientation indicated by the complete locationinventory. The “outlying” locations providing an orientation that issubstantially out of correlation in comparison with the others withinthe inventory are removed, given that they represent spurious locationsderived from spurious tag reads.

In some cases, RFID reads during inventory will be non-deterministic.Inconsistencies in the RF environmental (e.g., reflections, nulls, falsereads, signal collisions, etc.), physical obstructions, technologyfailure and other factors may cause unpredictable inventory responses.Spurious reads are defined as those that are inconsistent with theresults expected for the cart in a given position and orientation. Forexample, one spurious read would occur for a tag that shows up in theinventory that is outside the maximum expected read range of the aisleRFID reader 225. Furthermore, transient reads are defined as those thatare consistent with the expected results for a given cart position andorientation, but that do not consistently appear in a set of inventoryreports collected over an arbitrary period of time.

With the inventory of locations in the system, locations may then beevaluated to determine cart position as a relative x,y coordinate withinstore map. The system employs a location buffer to smooth out errorsintroduced by transient tag reads. The remaining locations areevaluated, and an average x,y position is calculated. The nearestlocation (among the inventory locations) to the calculated location isdetermined and the cart position is adjusted according to which locationis nearest. This adjusted position is then compared to the map andfurther adjusted as necessary to position the cart accurately within themap. Such positions and data may be further compared to known/mappedroutes or paths within the store to further assist in determining thelocation of the cart. For example, if may be know that a consumer willlikely travel a certain path based upon the position within the storeand same may be used to help track and position the cart as it traversesthe anticipated path.

A number of rules may be applied in the evaluation of the inventorylocation to improve the accuracy of locating the cart, and thereforealso the efficacy of the cart 10 as a shelf management tool. Forexample, a temporal rule may be applied such that recent tags reads areprioritized above older reads into determining cart position.Additionally, recent location reports may be used in determining if aparticular tag represents a spurious read.

Similarly, a volume rule may be applied, such that a large volume of tagreads occurring during a given time frame are prioritized above smallervolumes of tag reads for determining cart position. For example, a RFIDtag “seen” by the aisle RFID reader 225 twenty times during the lastsecond is prioritized above a RFID tag “seen” only one time during thelast second. Likewise, a proximity rule may be applied, wherein RFIDtags in the inventory that are proximate to one another are prioritizedabove RFID tags in the inventory that are not proximate. In such a case,proximity is based upon the base store map and business rules.

In various embodiments, the accuracy of the determination of cartlocation is improved by the addition of the magnetic reed switch,discussed previously as an embodiment for the motion sensor(s) 36. Therotational speed of each wheel may be determined based on the“heartbeat” signal generated each time the magnet opens or closes themagnetic reed switch, preferably without physical contact thereof, whenthe wheel turns. By placing a magnet and reed switch assembly on twowheels, such as, for example, on both back wheels, the ECM 200 maydetermine when the cart 10 is turning as an added factor in accuratelydetermining the location and orientation of the cart 10. Specifically,when the cart 10 is turning, such as around a corner or to enter a nextaisle in the store, the wheel to the inside of the turn will not rotateas much as the wheel to the outside of the turn, and by comparing thedifference in rotational speed of each wheel, the ECM 200 locationingcomponent may incorporate the knowledge that the cart 10 is turning acorner or turning around to supplement the locationing performed by theaisle RFID reader 225 and antenna 226.

In various embodiments, the locationing component further includes anintegrated compass for additional optimization of locationing for thecart. In some embodiments, the integrated compass is a digital compass.The compass provides various functions, including enabling the provisionof an enhanced path layout for precise data reporting of shoppingevents. Another function of the compass is to provide directionality ora heading for the cart 10 in a store map. For example, thedirectionality provided by the compass enables display of a directionicon in a store map to identifiable areas of the store. For example, thepoint of sale (i.e., check out) area of the store, restrooms, storeexits, and store departments. Such directionality is relative to thepresent location of the cart based on the proximity scan as describedherein.

In various embodiments, the accuracy of the determination of cartlocation is improved by the addition of an Automatic Gain Control(“AGC”) module. The use of an AGC module to control the transmit powerand/or antenna attenuation of the aisle RFID reader 225 provides stillanother means of improving the accurate determine of cart location and,therefore, product awareness. In operation, the AGC module, which may beimplemented in a software routine and executed from the ECM 200,automatically controls each antenna 226. Specifically, the AGC may beused, as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, to eitherincrease the transmit power or adjust attenuation. By doing so,sensitivity to tags may be controlled so that tags that are“unexpectedly” read, in that they are not located within the expectedradiation pattern of the antenna 226 and aisle RFID reader 225 yet stillare read, may be avoided. For example, the cart 10 may be located onaisle 4, but unexpectedly is reading tags from adjacent aisles 3 and 5.Tags from the adjacent aisle are “unexpected” based on the presentlydetermined cart location. To correct for the unexpected tags, the AGCadjusts the attenuation or power of the read signal, such that the tagsfrom the adjacent aisles are no longer read. In another example, thecart 10 may be located on aisle 4, but is not reading all of the“expected” tags for aisle 4. In order to correct for the missing, butexpected tags, the AGC adjusts the transmitted power until the expectedtags, based on the cart's presently determined location, are read by theaisle RFID reader 225. The AGC module may particularly be useful forimproving accuracy of cart location in areas with higher interference orwhen many carts are in close proximity. By adjusting transmit powerand/or attenuation (i.e., providing automated, real-time, dynamic powercontrol from the RFID reader/antennae), the AGC module provides theadditional advantage of conserving power by adjusting the power suchthat an appropriate and efficient amount of power is used in reading theRFID tags.

In testing, it has become clear that as there are more RFID tagsbroadcasting, it becomes more and more complex to discern whether thereis a good transmit and receive from a particular RFID tag among thegroup. The present system presents a special challenge in that otherapplications do not use as many readers as close together. The presentsystem has a uniquely high number of RFID readers in close proximity toone another, and the number of readers in close proximity to one anotheris constantly changing as carts move around.

Two things happen when the number of RFID readers in close proximity toanother is a large number and constantly changing. First, passive RFIDtags become saturated by all the RF energy. Second, each reader becomessaturated by too much interference, resulting in a phenomenon referredto as dense reader mode. Dense reader mode is when multiple RFID readersare broadcasting and receiving RFID information and the resulting RFIDread performance is fluctuating and/or decreasing from the availablenumber of RFID tag reads within the useable read range of the RFID tags.Specifically, dense reader mode is a mode of operation that preventsreaders from interfering with one another when many are used in closeproximity to one another.

As discussed previously, it is possible to partially optimize RFIDreader performance by increasing or decreasing the gain until an optimalnumber of tags are detected. However, upon further testing, it hasbecome apparent that additional optimization may be achieved byincreasing or decreasing other characteristics in addition to power. Forexample, in addition to adjusting power up or down, RFID readerperformance is optimized by increasing or decreasing the duty cycle(i.e. the transmit on and off time such as broadcast on for 2 seconds,and off for 8 seconds for a 20% duty cycle). Additionally, RFID readerperformance may be further optimized by adjusting the antennasthemselves. As there is an antenna directed to both sides of the cart(or alternatively, a single bidirectional antenna), each can be adjustedindividually such that the antennas (or directions for a single antenna)are not matched, until an optimal number of tags are detected. Forexample, it is possible to alter the sleep time (i.e., the duty cyclefor one antenna or antenna direction as relative to other antenna orantenna direction respectively).

Such optimization allows a greater number of readers to function with alimited RF domain. Such optimization also allows a large number ofreaders to co-exist within a small fixed area, such as in the Point ofSale (i.e. check out) area of a store.

In an embodiment, the locationing component is similarly operable todetermine the location of a given product relative to the shopping cart10 based on signals from the read component. The locationing componentthen displays on the video display 75 the location of the given productin relation to the cart 10. In an embodiment, the locationing componentmay comprise software, hardware or a combination of hardware andsoftware operable to determine the location of the shopping cart or aproduct in the store. The locationing component may, in an embodimentcomprise hardware affixed to the cart with software incorporatedtherein, or may, in an embodiment, comprise hardware affixed to the cartoperably coupled with software stored in and/or executed from the ECM200 or another networked component. In an embodiment, the locationingcomponent may be integrated within the ECM 200.

In an embodiment, the location of the given product in relation to thelocation of the cart 10 may be graphically displayed on the videodisplay 75 on a floor plan of the store, using an indicator to show thelocation of the cart 10 on the floor plan of the store and anotherindicator to show the location of the given product on the floor plan ofthe store. In an embodiment, the indicators may comprise directionalarrows 309, as will be discussed further below. In an embodiment, thelocation of the given product in relation to the location of the cart 10may be described using words relative to a floor plan of the store. Forexample, such a written direction may be provided in the video display75 by indicating “You are on Aisle 2, the Product you are looking for ison Aisle 9 to your left.”

In an embodiment, the locationing component is operable so as to locatea given product being displayed in an advertisement on the video display75 relative to the shopping cart 10. In an embodiment, the locationingcomponent then displays on the video display 75 the location of theproduct being advertised in relation to the cart 10. In an embodiment,the location of the product being advertised in relation to the locationof the cart 10 may be graphically displayed on the video display, usingan indicator, such as an arrow, displayed adjacent to or as part of theadvertisement to point towards the location of the product beingadvertised. In an embodiment, the location of the product beingadvertised in relation to the location of the cart 10 may be describedusing words to indicate to the consumer where she may find the productbeing advertised. For example, in or adjacent to an advertisement forlaundry detergent, an indicator reading “Laundry Detergent ahead on theright” may be displayed based on the location of the cart.

Referring now to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, upon determining the proximity ofthe cart 10 to any particular tag or tags 303 or 304, the ECM 200 causesat least one advertisement 306 to be displayed to the consumer 85 on thevideo display 75. The advertisement 306 displayed may be selected from aplurality of stored advertisements 307, and the advertisement 306 may beselected based on the proximity of the cart 10 to a particular tag ortags 303 or 304. In an embodiment, the plurality of storedadvertisements 307 may be stored in the ISS 330, streamed to the ECM 200via a wireless LAN (e.g., transceivers 205 mounted in the storecommunicating with the network transceiver 204 in ECM 200), anddisplayed on the video display 75 according to the location of the cart10. In an embodiment, the plurality of stored advertisements 307 may bestored in local memory 202 in the MOD, accessed, and displayed on thevideo display 75. When the cart 10 enters a different area of the storeand the aisle RFID reader 225 detects different RFID tags 303 or 304,the location of the cart 10 is updated, and the advertisement 306 ischanged to reflect a different one of the plurality of the storedadvertisements 307 based on the updated location of the cart 10.

As shown in FIG. 16, in an embodiment, the screen 77 of the videodisplay 75 may be divided into a plurality of screen segments 308, suchthat one of the plurality of stored advertisements 307 may be displayedin each screen segment 308. In an embodiment, one of the plurality ofscreen segments 308 may be designated for display of consumer specificinformation, such as the running total of the products in the cart 10,loyalty card or other consumer identifying information, productinformation pertaining to a specific product recently placed in the cart10, and the like.

Referring again to FIG. 16, an exemplary display of advertising isshown. In an embodiment, a selected number of the plurality of storedadvertisements 307 (equal to the number of screen segments 308) aredisplayed in the screen segments 308. Directional arrows 309 may beprovided as an indication to point in the general direction of theadvertised product on adjacent shelves. In an embodiment, one screensegment 308 a may be more prominently sized than the other screensegments 308 b, such that one of the plurality of stored advertisement307 is displayed in the more prominently sized screen segment 308 a,while others of the plurality of stored advertisements 307 are displayedin the less prominently sized screen segments 308 b. This division ofthe screen 77 into screen segments 308 may be analogized toadvertisements in a newspaper, wherein various of the advertisements mayuse one half, one quarter, one third of a page, etc. to fill a page withadvertisements, and the cost of running an advertisement in each portionof a page may relate to the size of the advertisement relative to therest of the page, the prominence of the advertisement on the page, theduration of time the advertisement is on the page, or combinationsthereof. In an embodiment, the selected plurality of storedadvertisements 307 may rotate being displayed on each screen segment308, such that the most prominent screen segment 308 displays each ofthe selected ones of the plurality of stored advertisements 307, oneafter another, based on the time each one of the plurality of storedadvertisements 307 has been displayed, or based on the location of thecart 10 between the shelves 301 and 302 in proximity to tags 303 and304, which may be further correlated to the proximity of the cart to theadvertised product on the shelf.

Rather than showing multiple advertisements in various screen segments,a single advertisement at a time may be displayed in a screen segmentgenerally reserved for advertising. A multi-tier approach may be used todetermine pricing of advertisements when a single screen segment isdevoted to advertising, given that the newspaper analogy may not apply.For example, advertising may instead be sold for zones of the store,whether based on what types of products will be shelved there, or basedon consumer traffic patterns in the store. For example, pricing may bedifferent and the types of advertisements that will be effective willvary based on whether the advertisement segment is purchased foradvertisements to be displayed along high traffic routes such as thefront aisle of the store, or the lower traffic areas, such as thepharmacy or deli. Selling advertising based on when and where it will bedisplayed may permit advertising companies to make decisions toeffectively market products even while only one advertisement isdisplayed at a time in the video display 75.

In an alternative embodiment, no one screen segment is sized moreprominently than the other, but rather, a simplified, unique splitscreen Graphical User Interface (“GUI”) is shown, as is illustrated inFIG. 21A. The unique attributes of the GUI are associated with cartoperation and LCD display position. The GUI provides the consumer withuser-friendly easy access to cart functionality while maintainingreadability and utility as viewed from the nose-mounted position at theopposite end of the cart from the consumer.

The GUI may be adjusting to one of a plurality of user levels, providingbasic, intermediate, or advanced functionalities of the enhanced cart 10based on how the consumer prefers to use the cart 10. The GUI shown inFIG. 21A enables the consumer to access the basic level offunctionality, and does not require the use of any identifyinginformation associated with the consumer to carry out the functions. Inan embodiment, the video display defaults to the basic level offunctionality when the cart 10 is powered on. The basic level offunctionality displayed in the menu includes “Find Item,” “StoreSpecials,” and “View Help,” each of which may be displayed in the formof a button, textual link or the like for selection by the consumer. Inthe segment below the menu, space is reserved for display of anadvertisement that is placed there when so indicated by the ECM 200, asdiscussed herein. Upon selection of a menu item, the GUI changes foreach functional menu item.

Upon selecting “Store Specials,” the GUI reflects the view of FIG. 21B.In FIG. 21B, the Store Specials are shown, along with a button or linkto show a full screen view of the store specials (which eliminates thespace below reserved for display of advertisements), or return to themain menu. If the “Full Screen” is not selected, the space for displayof advertisements remains displayed.

Upon selecting “View Help,” the GUI reflects the view of FIG. 21C. InFIG. 21C, a menu appears that presents to the consumer the choices of“find item,” “store specials,” “price check,” and more, according to thedesires of the store for which the cart is configured. A link for atutorial on the use of the cart 10 may be provided, along with a buttonor link to return to the main menu.

From the “View Help” view of the GUI, when “Find Item” is selected, theGUI provides the view of FIG. 21D, wherein the user may scroll andselect letter or number characters using the five-way navigation device123. Additional links for returning to the main menu or viewing a storemap may also be provided. The store map provided by the link, as shownin FIG. 21E, may graphically indicate where in the store the cart islocated as well as the location of an item for which the consumer issearching using the “Find Item” feature.

From the “View Help” view of the GUI, when “Price Check” is selected,the GUI provides the view of FIG. 21F, which displays a price (orprices, if a sale price is additionally available, or if a discountprice is available for loyalty consumer 85 s). In the price check view,the consumer may scan a product using the scanner 215, and the price isdisplayed. Also, as seen in FIG. 21F, an advertisement may be displayedin the space reserved for advertisements. The price check feature may beactivated via a price check button as described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 23, an exemplary scrolling menu for a userinterface is shown in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In an embodiment, content displayed on the video display 75is navigated and controlled by way of a scrolling menu 1100. Thescrolling menu 1100 includes a plurality of functions that may beselected, each function represented by a graphical icon 1102 a-d. Thescrolling menu 1100 rotates the functions, represented by icons 1102a-d, as directed by a user, for example when the user indicates anupward scrolling motion, a downward scrolling motion, or sidewaysscrolling motion with the five-way navigation device 123. The scrollingmenu 1100 may present the functions in a horizontal or a verticalpresentation (as shown in FIG. 23), which may be navigated using therelevant directional controls of the five-way navigation device 123. Thescrolling menu 1100 may additionally include indicators of direction1104 in order to help users determine how to use the directional controlto scroll through the scrolling menu functions. In various embodiments,each function may alternatively or additionally be represented by textthat easily identifies the function to a user. The text indicating afunction may likewise be scrolled around within the scrolling menu.

The scrolling menu includes a selection position 1106, such that when aparticular function icon (1102 b as shown) is scrolled into theselection position 1106, content associated with the function icon isdisplayed in some or all of the remaining space visible in the videodisplay 75. The video display 75 dynamically magnifies the contentassociated with whatever function icon is presently in the selectionposition 1106, in order for the user to see and use the associatedcontent to achieve an objective that the function offers.

In various embodiments, the selection position 1106 is indicated by anicon 1108 that differentiates the selection position 1106 from the otherpositions in the scrolling menu 1100. As shown in FIG. 23, the selectionposition 1106 is indicated by a right-facing arrow (i.e., the icon1108), indicating that the associated content for the function in theselection position 1106 is magnified in the area of the video display 75to the right of the selection position 1106. In alternative embodiments,any icon may be used to indicate the selection position 1106, such as amagnifying glass or other attention-getting graphical icons or text suchas the box 1106 shown in FIG. 23.

In the video display 75, the available display space may be apportionedinto at least two areas, though in various embodiments, the availabledisplay space may be apportioned into more than two areas. As shown inFIG. 24, in a first area 1200 of the available display space, thescrolling menu 1100 may be presented, while in a second area 1201 of theavailable display space, content 1110 is displayed, wherein the content1110 is associated with the particular function presently displayed inthe selection position 1106 of the scrolling menu 1100. As the scrollingmenu 1100 scrolls, the content 1110 displayed in the second area 1201 ofthe display space dynamically changes, preferably as rapidly as the useris scrolling the scrolling menu. As such, when each function icon iswithin the selection position 1106, the content 1110 associated withthat function is displayed, and the instant that the function within theselection position 1106 changes, so does the content 1110 displayed inthe second area 1201.

Thereby, the user is presented with a real-time graphical display thatchanges according to her wishes and comfort level with using the userinterface. For example, an elderly consumer who is not accustomed tousing a computer or a first time user of the media enabled shopper cartmay scroll the scrolling menu slowly, and the associated content isdisplayed at the same rate, as she scrolls the menu, affording her asmuch time as she needs to look at and become familiar with the content.By comparison, a shopper who is more familiar with using the mediaenabled shopping cart may scroll the menu quickly to use functions thatshe is already familiar with, and will be displayed the selected featuredynamically, in real time.

In embodiments having the available display space apportioned into morethan two areas, additional space may be used to display, for example,advertisements, a help function in addition to the function in theselection position, a store map, instructional photographs (for example,a photograph showing the user how to scan a product for a price check),and retailer sales, promotions, or logos. As may be seen in FIG. 25, thefirst area 1200 is used to display the scrolling menu 1100, the secondarea 1201 is used to display the content 1110 associated with thefunction in the selection position 1106, and a third area 1202 of theavailable display space is used to display an advertisement, which maybe selected based on the location of the cart within the store, or basedon historical information known about the consumer's purchasing habits.

The scrolling menu 1100 may include any number of different functions,including, for example, a “Price Check” function, enabling the consumer85 to scan an item to see the item's price, a “Store Special” function,enabling the consumer 85 to review (and optionally find on a store map)reduced or special price items, an “Item Finder” function, enabling theconsumer 85 to request the location of a particular product, and a“Help” option, enabling the consumer 85 to receive helpful tips for useof the media enabled shopping cart. Additional optional functions mayinclude various service functions, such as an interface with an in-storepharmacy for the consumer 85 to request the status of their prescriptionor receive notification of prescription availability, an interface withan in-store deli for the consumer 85 to make a deli order or receivenotification of order availability, an interface for notification to theconsumer 85 of completion of in-store auto servicing, an interface forinteraction between the consumer 85 and customer service personnel forservices such as rain checks, and other functions for in-store services.

Some or all of these functions may be included in the basic level offunctionality. In addition to these functions, additional functionalityof the cart 10 is available to users who desire to additionally enhancetheir shopping experience at an intermediate level of functionality andat an advanced level of functionality. At the intermediate level offunctionality, the consumer may scan products at the cart 10 using thescanner 215, view the scanned cart contents and a running total, andremove an item from the cart by scanning an item that has already beenplaced in the cart 10. The intermediate level of functionality may beaccessed by a consumer by simply starting to use the scanner 215. To usethe intermediate level of functionality, the consumer is not required toidentify himself or herself, but may do so using a loyalty cardassociated with his or her identity, or by simply using a PIN. Theconsumer has the option to use a consumer created PersonalIdentification Number (PIN) which is unique to the consumer, but may ormay not be associated with any consumer information such as name,address, and the like, in the same manner as a loyalty card identifier.Using a PIN, the consumer may retrieve saved electronic shopping lists,favorite recipes, and nutritional information in some advanced features,but does not have to identify him or herself with a name and address. Inan embodiment, the PIN comprises a phone number, optionally with asecurity code.

In an embodiment, the level of functionality selected and the resultantdisplay screens and features made available to a consumer 85 is basedupon existing data entered by the user or gathered from previous use ofthe cart 10 by the consumer 85. For example, upon scanning of a loyaltycard or entry of a PIN, a database may be consulted to determine whatlevel of functionality the consumer 85 has selected or previously used,and then the appropriate functionality and display screens are presentedto the user. Such data can be tracked over time and functionalityadjusted to correspond to preferences and usage by the consumer 85. Forexample, as the consumer 85 becomes experienced in using the system,more detailed information and functionality may be provided to theconsumer 85. Alternatively, tutorials or other help functions may beprovided for inexperienced users.

At the advanced level of functionality, the consumer may additionallyperform a cart level express check out, when products for purchase havealready been scanned, view nutritional information and recipes, and viewlists according to store departments. The consumer may also create,save, and retrieve electronic shopping lists, and obtain loyalty cardprices and promotions.

In various embodiments, when the consumer identifies himself or herselfto the cart 10 by way of a loyalty card, a consumer privacy notice maybe displayed. The privacy notice may be displayed upon the first use ofthe cart 10 by a particular user who has identified himself or herselfby way of a loyalty card, and thereafter, when the consumer identifieshimself or herself via a loyalty card, the privacy notice will not bedisplayed since it has been displayed and accepted by the consumerbefore.

The unique attributes of the GUI are associated with cart operation andLCD display position. The GUI provides the consumer with user-friendlyeasy access to cart functionality while maintaining readability andutility as viewed from the nose-mounted position at the opposite end ofthe cart from the consumer.

Referring now to FIG. 24, when the function icon for “Price Check” isscrolled in the scrolling menu 1100 to the selection position 1106,content 1110 associated with the price check function is displayed inthe second area 1201. Specifically, the content 1110 may includeinstructions to a user, either textually or graphically, for how tocarry out a price check. In various embodiments, the instructionsindicate that to check a price of an item, the consumer 85 presses aparticular one of the buttons of the five way navigation device 123, andscans the item's UPC code using the scanner 215.

The content 1110 associated with the price check function mayadditionally include, as shown in FIG. 24, a helper icon 1205 to offerthe consumer 85 an additional way to seek information, or a tutorial, onthe use of the price check function. Although not shown in FIG. 24, butdiscussed above, an advertisement, such as an advertisement for the itemfor which the price is being checked, another product made by the samecompany, or a competing product, may be displayed in a third areareserved for advertisements 1202.

Upon a scan of an item by the consumer 85 while the content associatedwith the price check function is being displayed, the user interfacedynamically changes to display the results of the price check, i.e., aprice (or prices, if a sale price is additionally available, a discountprice if available for loyalty consumer 85 s, or a per unit price) asshown in FIG. 25. The results of the price check may be displayed in afull screen, consuming all available display space not used fordisplaying the scrolling menu, or may be displayed in one area, such asa second area 1201, while a third area 1202 is used for displaying othercontent, such as an advertisement for the item for which the price isbeing checked, another product made by the same company, or a competingproduct.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 25, a Price Check History may bedisplayed including each item for which the consumer 85 has performed aprice check during the particular shopping trip. The Price Check Historymay be used by the consumer 85 to perform comparison shopping, or todecide which items to keep for purchase, and which items to return to astore shelf. An icon may be provided for clearing the Price CheckHistory.

Referring now to FIG. 26, when the function icon for “Store Specials” isscrolled in the scrolling menu 1100 to the selection position 1106,content 1110 associated with the store specials function is displayed inthe second area 1201. Specifically, the content 1110 may include an itemdescription 1401 and a feature price 1402 for each item priced for StoreSpecials (such as weekly specials). The item description 1401 mayinclude a product name brand (e.g., Pringles™) and type (e.g.,Original), as well as a size (e.g., 6 ounces) purchased for the featureprice 1402. In various embodiments, the content 1110 associated with thestore specials function may include instructions to indicate that toview a location for a particular item from the list displayed for storespecials, the consumer 85 may press a particular one of the buttons ofthe five way navigation device 123 while highlighted the particular itemin which she is interested, and a location of the product relative tothe present location of the cart may be displayed in a store map.

The list of store specials items may be displayed in a full screen,consuming all available display space not used for displaying thescrolling menu 1100, or may be displayed in one area, such as a secondarea 1201, while a third area 1202 is used for displaying other content,such as an advertisement, which may be selected based on the location ofthe cart within the store, or based on historical information knownabout the consumer's 85 purchasing habits.

The content 1110 associated with the store specials function mayadditionally include, as shown in FIG. 26, a helper icon 1205 to offerthe consumer 85 an additional way to seek information, or a tutorial, onthe use of the store specials function.

Referring now to FIG. 27, when the function icon for “Find Item” isscrolled in the scrolling menu 1100 to the selection position 1106,content 1110 associated with the item finder function is displayed inthe second area 1201. Specifically, the content 1110 may include akeyboard 1500 in the second area 1201 and a list of items in storeinventory 1502 pertaining to the search may be displayed in a third area1202. The graphical keyboard 1500 displayed in the second area 1201 maybe navigated by the consumer 85 using the five way navigation device123. Specifically, the consumer 85 may use arrow buttons of the five waynavigation device 123 to scroll through the letters in the keyboard1500, and press the center button or “*” button in order to select acharacter. Using the keyboard, the consumer 85 may spell out the brandname or the item name for a product.

Upon the consumer 85 typing a first letter of the brand name or itemname of a sought after product 1508, the list of items in storeinventory 1502 pertaining to the search may be narrowed to items in thestore inventory that start with the letter that was typed. For example,as shown in FIG. 27A, when the letter “T” is entered in the keyboard1500, the list of items in store inventory 1502 is narrowed to onlyitems with a brand name or item name in store inventory that start withthe letter “T.” Upon the consumer 85 typing a second letter of the brandname or item name of the sought after product 1508, a narrowed list 1504of the items in store inventory pertaining to the search may bedisplayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 27B, when the letter “A” isentered in the keyboard 1500, the list of items in store inventory 1502is narrowed to the narrowed list 1504 to include and display only itemswith a brand name or item name in store inventory that start with theletter “T” and the next letter is the letter “A.”

Likewise, upon the consumer 85 typing a third letter of the brand nameor item name of the sought after product 1508, a further narrowed list1506 of the items in store inventory pertaining to the search may bedisplayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 27C, when the letter “C” isentered in the keyboard 1500, the list of items in store inventory 1502is narrowed again to the further narrowed list 1506 to include anddisplay only items with a brand name or item name in store inventorythat start with the letter “T,” having the second letter as the letter“A,” and having the third letter as the letter “C,” and so on. Theconsumer 85 may enter as few or as many letters of the brand name oritem name of the product he or she seeks to find, such that if allletters of the name are entered, the list 1502 is narrowed to only theitem he or she seeks to find. The consumer 85 may enter fewer than allof the letters of the name, and once the list is narrowed sufficientlyto display in the list the sought after item, the consumer 85 may selectthe item from the list 1502, 1504, 1506, or so on.

Upon selection of the item from the list 1502, 1504, 1506, or so on, theresult of the “find item” is displayed, identifying the sought afterproduct 1508. Specifically, the location of the sought after item 1508is displayed on a store map 1600 relative to the present location of thecart as shown in FIG. 28. The present location of the cart may beindicated with an icon representing the cart 1602, and the location ofthe sought after item 1508 may be indicated with an icon representingthe item 1604. In various embodiments, an icon representing “zoom” 1608may enable the consumer 85 to zoom in on the map for an additional levelof detail to find the sought after item 1508.

The content 1110 associated with the item finder function mayadditionally include, as shown in FIGS. 27A-C and 28, a helper icon 1205to offer the consumer 85 an additional way to seek information, or atutorial, on the use of the item finder function.

In some embodiments, a link for a tutorial on the use of the cart 10 maybe provided, along with a button or link to return to the main menu. Insome embodiments, a user may enter a question by way of a keyboard suchas that described above with respect to the item finder function, and ananswer, if one exists in a database of frequently asked questions, maybe displayed. In some embodiments, an index of topics pertaining tofrequently asked questions may be displayed, enabling the user to selectany one relevant to her question for review.

Referring now to FIG. 29, a method is shown for navigating the scrollingmenu functions with a user interface in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure. The user interface displays the scrolling menuin the first area of the available display space (block 1700). The userinterface also dynamically displays in the second area of the availabledisplay space content associated with a menu option in the selectionposition of the scrolling menu (block 1702). The term “dynamic display”is intended to indicate that as the scrolling menu is scrolled in anydirection (e.g., up and down for a vertical scrolling menu or right andleft for a horizontal scrolling menu), the content displayed in thesecond area is changed at the same rate at which the scrolling menu isscrolled. When each menu option (i.e., a function icon) is within theselection position of the scrolling menu, the content associated withthat particular function is displayed, and the instant that the functionwithin the selection position changes (i.e., due to movement of thescrolling menu by the user), the content displayed in the second area isalso updated.

If the user is scrolling the menu (at block 1704), the user interfacedynamically updates the content displayed in the second area to showdifferent content (i.e., the content associated with the menu optionpresently shown in the selection position) (block 1706). As describedpreviously, the scrolling menu may be scrolled by the user at any rate,based on the comfort level of the user with the media enabled shoppingsystem.

If the user is not scrolling the menu at block 1704, then if the user ismanipulating the content associated with the menu option in theselection position (at block 1708), the user interface dynamicallydisplays in the second area the result of manipulation of the content(block 1710).

In the method described with respect to FIG. 29, one menu option of theplurality of menu options may include the price check function. As such,the content associated with the menu option for the price check functiondynamically displays a prompt to the user to scan an item at the cart todetermine a price for the item, and upon detecting that an item has beenscanned, dynamically displays the result of the manipulation of thecontent, i.e., displays a price for the item.

In the method described with respect to FIG. 29, one menu option of theplurality of menu options may include the store special function. Assuch, the content associated with the menu option for the store specialfunction dynamically displays at least one sale item (and preferably alist of the store's regular specials), and a price for the sale item.Upon selection of a particular sale item by the user to view a locationfor the sale item (i.e., manipulation of the content), the result of themanipulation of the content is displayed, that is the location for thesale item in a store map.

In the method described with respect to FIG. 29, one menu option of theplurality of menu options may include the item finder function. As such,the content associated with the menu option for the item finder functiondynamically displays an alphanumeric keyboard display, enabling entry ofan item name. Upon entry of letters (resulting in dynamic display ofvalid combinations of the entered letters), and listing products of thevalid combinations of the entered letters, and selection of an item fromthe list by the user (i.e., manipulation of the content), the result isdynamically displayed, that is the location for the entered and selecteditem in a store map. Generating the list of products of the validcombination of entered letters may include accessing a database of itemsin the store to display each item containing each letter or numbersuccessively entered in the alphanumeric keyboard, narrowing the list ofitems contained with each letter entered.

In the method described with respect to FIG. 29, one menu option of theplurality of menu options may include the help function. As such, thecontent associated with the menu option for the help functiondynamically displays a step-by-step explanation of use of the menuoption to which the user most recently scrolled. Alternatively, thecontent associated with the menu option for the help function maydisplay an index of topics for frequently asked questions, and uponselection of a topic from the index (i.e., manipulation of the content),the result is dynamically displayed, that is the answer to the selectedtopic.

With the content associated for each menu option, the user interface mayadditionally display advertising associated with the content associatedwith the menu option. In the sense used here, the “associated”advertising may include advertising for an item in the associatedcontent (such as advertising for an item entered in the item finderfunction associated content), advertising for a competing item (such asadvertising for an item that competes with an entered in the price checkfunction associated content), or advertising simply relevant based onthe location of the cart within the store.

Optionally, prior to display by the user interface, the user interfacemay generate a prompt to a user to perform an action, such as a promptto the user that instructs the user to scan a loyalty card. Upon theuser scanning a loyalty card, the plurality of menu options availablefor that user to choose in the scrolling menu may be broadened (if anadvanced user), or limited (if a basic user).

In various embodiments, a price check may be performed locally, withoutaccessing the store server to obtain a price for a particular item. Insuch embodiments, as in earlier described embodiments, the consumer 85scans a product using the scanner 215. A price database may bemaintained locally in the ECM 200 of the cart 10, such that a pricecheck accesses the local database of prices, rather than obtaining theprice wirelessly from the store server. Prices in the price database maybe regularly updated, such as each night, or each time a cart is placedin the cart corral, in order for prices to stay up-to-date. Prices mayalternatively be updated in real time, by wireless downloads of pricechanges to the price database at any time.

As mentioned above, the scrolling menu 1100 may include a number ofdifferent functions, including, for example, enabling a consumer 85 toremotely request and secure a place in a store department's servicequeue. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 30, a consumer 85 can navigatethe scrolling menu 1100 with the five way navigation device 123 andscroll the store's deli function icon 310 into the selection position1106. Once the deli function icon 310 has been scrolled into theselection position 1106, the content associated with the deli functionicon 310, including a request for a queue number assignment icon 311 isdisplayed in some of the remaining space visible in the video display75. The consumer 85 may then use the five way navigation device 123 tomove the selection position 1106 from the deli function icon 310 to thedisplayed content associated with the deli function icon 310 and scrollthe queue number assignment icon 311 into the selection position 1106and activate the queue number assignment icon 311 to request a deliqueue number 360. This would be the equivalent of going to the deli andtearing off a paper tag to enter the deli queue.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 30, when the consumer 85 activatesthe queue number assignment icon 311, this authorizes the ECM 200 togenerate a queue number request signal with a cart specific identifier312 that is communicated to a queuing number processor 313 via thenetwork transceiver 204. The network transceiver 204 is one of a numberof electronic queue number-related information receivers employed inthis electronic queuing system. Other electronic queue number-relatedinformation receivers include a queue number request signal receiver364, a queue number receiver 366, and a queuing system transceiver 368.Transmit and receive functions may be carried out by separate componentsor a common component (e.g., transceiver) as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. The network transceiver 204 transfers the queuenumber request signal with a cart specific identifier 312 to the queuingnumber processor 313 via a wireless link between the network transceiver204 and the queuing number processor 313. The queue number processor 313may generally analogized to, or recognized as, a typical queue numberdispenser that may be found in various automotive, pharmacy, photo lab,and deli service areas. These dispensers, like the queue numberprocessor 313 of the instant disclosure, may be configured to providehard and/or electronic notice of the queue number place assigned to arequesting customer. Additionally, these devices may be networked sothat direct requests for queue positions, e.g., physically pulling a tabfrom a dispenser, and remote requests for queue positions, e.g., thecart based request described below, may be coordinated and allocated inthe most efficient and customer friendly manner. The queuing numberprocessor 313 is configured with a queue number request signal receiver364 to receive the queue number request signal with a cart specificidentifier 312. The queuing number processor 313 is also configured togenerate successive queue number signals with a cart specific identifier365 in response to queue number request signals 312. The queuing numberprocessor 313 communicates the queue number signal with a cart specificidentifier 365 to the ISS 330 via the queuing number processortransmitter 367 and the store's WLAN. The ISS 330 receives the queuenumber signal with a cart specific identifier 365 via its queuing systemtransceiver 368. The ISS 330 determines where in the service queue toplace the cart 10 associated with the queue number request signal with acart specific identifier 312. The ISS 330 is configured with a queuenumber generator 369 for generating a queue number 360. The ISS 330 isalso configured with a queue number provider 361 that operates tocommunicate the assigned queue number 360, to the cart 10 and to thequeuing number processor 313, via the queuing system transceiver 368 andthe store's WLAN. The cart 10 receives assigned queue number 360 by wayof the network transceiver 204. The queuing number processor 313receives the assigned queue number 360 by way of the queue numberreceiver 366. When determining where in the queue to place the cart 10associated with the queue number request signal with a cart specificidentifier 312, the ISS 330 may consider: the distance the cart 10 hasto travel to reach the service queue; the number of requests for queuenumbers, both non-remote and direct (e.g., walkups), over a period oftime; the items contained on the consumer's 85 shopping list that hasbeen uploaded onto the cart 10; the loyalty or preferred status of theconsumer 85; allowing for the availability of sufficient and efficientqueue numbers for store consumer 85 s choosing to directly obtain aqueue number from the service queue; and any other factors relating toplacing the cart 10 associated with the queue number signal with a cartspecific identifier 312 into the service queue, other than meresequential requests for queue numbers. The ISS 330 may also generate andcommunicate an estimated time to service signal 362 to the cart 10 viaqueuing system transceiver 368 and the store's WLAN which is received bythe cart 10 by the network transceiver 204. The ISS 330 may alsogenerate other queue number-related information 363, such as the currentqueue number being served, and communicate that other queuenumber-related information 363 to the cart 10 via the store's WLAN whichis received by the cart 10 by the network transceiver 204.

While the above details one embodiment of the remote service queuingfunctionality of the cart 10, FIG. 31 represents another embodimentwhereby the consumer 85 activates the queue number assignment icon 311,this authorizes the ECM 200 to generate a queue number request signalwith a cart specific identifier 312 that is communicated to the ISS 330by the network transceiver 204 via the WLAN. The network transceiver 204is one of a number of electronic queue number-related informationreceivers employed in this electronic queuing system. Other electronicqueue number-related information receivers include a queue numberrequest signal receiver 364, a queue number receiver 366, and a queuingsystem transceiver 368. The ISS 330 receives the queue number requestsignal with a cart specific identifier 312 by way of the queuing systemtransceiver 368 and utilizes the queuing system transceiver 368 to querythe queuing number processor 313 for a queue number 360. The queuingnumber processor 313 is configured with a queue number request signalreceiver 364 to receive the queue number request signal with a cartspecific identifier 312. The queuing number processor 313 is alsoconfigured with a queue number generator 369 to generate successivequeue numbers with cart specific identifiers 322 in response to queuenumber request signals 312. The queuing number processor 313communicates a generated queue number with a cart specific identifier322 to the ISS 330 via the queuing number processor transmitter 367. TheISS 330 receives the queue number with a cart specific identifier 322 byway of the queue number receiver 366. The ISS 330 is also configuredwith a queue number provider 361 that operates to communicate theassigned queue number 360 to the cart 10 via the queuing systemtransceiver 368 and the store's WLAN. The ISS 330 may also generate andcommunicate an estimated time to service signal 362 to the cart 10 viathe store's WLAN which is received by the cart 10 by the networktransceiver 204. The ISS 330 may also generate other queuenumber-related information 363, such as current queue number beingserved, and communicate that other queue number-related information 363to the cart 10 via the store's WLAN which is received by the cart 10 bythe network transceiver 204.

FIG. 32 depicts another embodiment whereby the consumer 85 activates thequeue number assignment icon 311, this authorizes the ECM 200 togenerate a queue number request signal with a cart specific identifier312 that is communicated to the ISS 330 via the network transceiver 204.The network transceiver 204 is one of a number of electronic queuenumber-related information receivers employed in this electronic queuingsystem. Other electronic queue number-related information receiversinclude a queue number request signal receiver 364, a queue numberreceiver 366, and a queuing system transceiver 368. The networktransceiver 204 transfers the queue number request signal with a cartspecific identifier 312 to the ISS 330 via a wireless link between thenetwork transceiver 204 and the ISS 330. The ISS 330 communicates thequeue number request signal with a cart specific identifier 312 to thequeuing number processor 313 via the queuing system transceiver 368 andthe store's WLAN. The queuing number processor 313 is configured with aqueue number request signal receiver 364 to receive the queue numberrequest signal with a cart specific identifier 312. The queuing numberprocessor 313 is also configured with a queue number signal generator370 to generate successive queue number signals with a cart specificidentifier 321 in response to queue number request signals 312. Thequeuing number processor 313 communicates the queue number signal with acart specific identifier 321 to the ISS 330 via the queuing numberprocessor transmitter 367 and the store's WLAN. The ISS 330 receives thequeue number signal with a cart specific identifier 321 by way of thequeuing system transceiver 368. The ISS 330 determines where in theservice queue to place the cart 10 associated with the queue numbersignal with a cart specific identifier 321, and utilizes the queuenumber generator 369 to generate a queue number 360. When determiningwhere in the queue to place the cart 10 associated with the queue numbersignal with a cart specific identifier 321, the ISS 330 may consider:the distance the cart 10 has to travel to reach the service queue; thenumber of requests for queue numbers, both non-remote and direct over aperiod of time; the items contained on the consumer's 85 shopping listthat has been uploaded onto the cart 10; the loyalty or preferred statusof the consumer 85; allowing for the availability of sufficient andefficient queue numbers for store consumer 85 s choosing to directlyobtain a queue number from the service queue; and any other factorsrelating to placing the cart 10 associated with the queue number signalwith a cart specific identifier 321 into the service queue, other thanmere sequential requests for queue numbers. The ISS 330 is alsoconfigured with a queue number provider 361 that operates to communicatethe assigned queue number 360, to the cart 10 and to the queuing numberprocessor 313, via the queuing system transceiver 368 and the store'sWLAN. The ISS 330 may also generate and communicate an estimated time toservice signal 362 to the cart 10 via the store's WLAN which is receivedby the cart 10 by the network transceiver 204. The ISS 330 may alsogenerate other queue number-related information 363, such as the currentqueue number being served, and communicate that other queuenumber-related information 363 to the cart 10 via the store's WLAN whichis received by the cart 10 by the network transceiver 204.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, the consumer 85activates the queue number assignment icon 311, this authorizes the ECM200 to generate a queue number request signal with a cart specificidentifier 312 that is communicated to a queuing number processor 313via the network transceiver 204. The network transceiver 204 is one of anumber of electronic queue number-related information receivers employedin this electronic queuing system. Other electronic queue number-relatedinformation receivers include a queue number request signal receiver 364and a queuing system transceiver 368. The network transceiver 204transfers the queue number request signal with a cart specificidentifier 312 to the queuing number processor 313 via a wireless linkbetween the network transceiver 204 and the queuing number processor313. The queuing number processor 313 is configured with a queue numberrequest signal receiver 364 to receive the queue number request signalwith a cart specific identifier 312. The queuing number processor 313 isalso configured with a queue number generator 369 to generate successivequeue numbers with cart specific identifiers 322 in response to queuenumber request signals 312. The queuing number processor 313communicates a queue number with a cart specific identifier 322 to theISS 330 via the queuing number processor transmitter 367. The ISS 330receives the queue number with cart specific identifier 322 by way ofthe queuing system transceiver 368. The ISS 330 is also configured witha queue number provider 361 that operates to communicate the assignedqueue number 360, to the cart 10 via the queuing system transceiver 368and the store's WLAN. The ISS 330 may also generate and communicate anestimated time to service signal 362 to the cart 10 via the store's WLANwhich is received by the cart 10 by the network transceiver 204. The ISS330 may also generate other queue number-related information 363, suchas the current queue number being served, and communicate that otherqueue number-related information 363 to the cart 10 via the store's WLANwhich is received by the cart 10 by the network transceiver 204.

In an additional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 34, the consumer 85activates the queue number assignment icon 311, this authorizes the ECM200 to generate a queue number request signal with a cart specificidentifier 312 that is communicated to a queuing number processor 313via the network transceiver 204. The network transceiver 204 is one of anumber of electronic queue number-related information receivers employedin this electronic queuing system. Other electronic queue number-relatedinformation receivers include a queue number request signal receiver364. The network transceiver 204 transfers the queue number requestsignal with a cart specific identifier 312 to the queuing numberprocessor 313 via a wireless link between the network transceiver 204and the queuing number processor 313. The queuing number processor 313is configured with a queue number request signal receiver 364 to receivethe queue number request signal with a cart specific identifier 312. Thequeuing number processor 313 is also configured with a queue numbergenerator 369 to generate successive queue numbers in response to queuenumber request signals 312. The queuing number processor 313 is alsoconfigured with a queue number provider 361 that operates to communicatethe assigned queue number 360, to the cart 10 via the queuing numberprocessor transmitter 367 and the store's WLAN. The queuing numberprocessor 313 communicates an assigned queue number 360 to the cart 10via the store's WLAN which is received by the cart 10 by the networktransceiver 204. The queuing number processor 313 may also generate andcommunicate an estimated time to service signal 362, or other queuenumber-related information 363, such as the current queue number beingserved, to the cart 10 via the queuing number processor transmitter 367and the store's WLAN, which is received by the cart 10 by the networktransceiver 204. In embodiments, the queuing number processor 313 may bea stand alone component (e.g., a computer located in a service area),may be part of the ISS 330, or may otherwise be integrated or networkedinto a local area network within the store. In various embodiments, thequeuing number processor 313 may receive the queue number requestsignal, generate a queue number, and provide the queue number to thecart.

As shown in FIG. 35, upon receipt of the assigned queue number 360, theECM 200 generates a queue number indicator signal 380 and directs thevideo display 75 to display a queue number indicator 381 which informsthe consumer 85 of his queue number 360. As shown in FIG. 36, inresponse to the receipt of an estimated time to service signal 362 theECM 200 generates an estimated time to service countdown timer 385 anddirects the video display 75 to display the estimated time to servicecountdown timer indicator 386 which informs the consumer 85 of theestimated time to service. As shown in FIG. 37, the ECM may alsogenerate an estimated time to reach the service queue timer andcommunicate an estimated time to reach the service queue signal 390 tothe video display 75 directing the video display 75 to display anestimated time to reach the service queue timer indicator 391 whichinforms the consumer 85 of the estimated time to reach the servicequeue. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 38, the queuing system may provideadditional information related to the service queues to the ECM 200,such as information related to the current queue number being served395. Upon receipt of this information, the ECM 200 may a generate acurrent queue number being served signal 396 and direct the videodisplay 75 to display a current queue number being served indicator 397to inform the consumer 85 of the current queue number being served. Theinformation shown in FIGS. 35-38 may be shown individually or in variouscombinations (e.g., sequentially or simultaneously).

In the same manner as a position in a deli queue may be secured,positions in a butcher queue, bakery queue, pharmacy queue, automotiveservices queue, photo queue, or any other service department queuemaintained by a store may also be secured.

In an embodiment, the cart 10 is additionally operable for various ShelfManagement activities, such as, but not limited to, taking inventory,enabling price changes, product reorganization, restocking, returningmisplaced products to the proper shelf location, and the like. The shelfmanagement features enabled by use of the cart 10 are used by theretailer to electronically manage product location and pricing in thestore.

In an embodiment, the aisle RFID reader 225 with antennas 226 may alsoscan individual products on the shelves 301 and 302 that are labeledwith individual RFID tags. In this embodiment, the aisle RFID reader 225with antennas 226 may scan, identify, and count each individual productby means of the individual RFID tag, and convey this information via theECM 200/network transceiver 204 to other network components to bediscussed herein in greater detail below, enabling retailers to managethe store inventory to an exacting degree of accuracy on a continuousbasis. Furthermore, all or a portion of the aisle tags 303 and 304 maybe replaced via products labeled with individual RFID tags, and thesystem may otherwise function as described herein.

The aisle RFID reader 225 and antennas 226 may assist the storemanagement with store planograms and inventory. A planogram is a diagramof fixtures and products that illustrates how and where retail productsshould be displayed, usually on a store shelf, bin or counter in orderto influence consumer selection. Consumer packaged goods manafacturersoften release a suggested planogram with their new product, to show howit relates to existing products in the same category, though stores alsodevelop planograms of their own. Because a planogram involves thelocation of products within the store, the aisle RFID reader 225 andantennas 226 can detect the location of products at the Stock KeepingUnit (“SKU”) level. Many inventory management systems assign a uniqueSKU for each product and also for its variants, and SKUs are assignedand serialized at the merchant level.

In use, when a cart 10 is moved through the store, the aisle RFID reader225 and antennas 226 scan the SKU assigned to product lines or productbundles on the shelves 301 and 302 that are labeled with individual RFIDtags, each RFID tag being associated with a SKU. In this embodiment, theaisle RFID reader 225 with antennas 226 may scan, identify, and locateeach product line or bundle by means of the RFID tag, and convey thisinformation via the ECM 200/network transceiver 204 to other networkcomponents to be discussed herein in greater detail below, enablingretailers to locate products throughout the store to manage, update anddesign the store planogram in an efficient and consistent manner.

The cart 10 enables re-mapping of the store. As discussed above, takingthe cart 10 through various paths in the store following rearrangementof products will result in the cart 10 reading the RFID tags (e.g., SKUand/or product level tags) marking the new locations of each movedproduct relative to the anchor RFID tags (e.g., shelf level tags thathave not moved), and convey the new locations to the system, such thatthe location of products in the store readily updated in relationship tothe base store map.

Additionally, the cart 10 enables inventory that may be performed on anon-going basis with real-time updates for stores that sell productsidentified at the product level by an RFID tag. When any cart 10 readsno product level RFID tags at a location (marked by an anchor) whereproducts are expected to be, the cart 10 may convey this information tothe store system to update the inventory for the products that are nolonger filling the shelves where expected. This allows real-time productinventory and restocking.

An employee is enabled by the cart 10 to quickly reshelve products thatare misplaced, such as when a consumer decides not to purchase a productand leaves it at the Point of Purchase or in a location other than wherethe product is shelved. By using the shelf management system of the cart10, the employee may scan the misplaced product, and according the map,be directed to the location in the store where the scanned product issupposed to be shelved. The employee may even confirm that he or she isputting the product back in the appropriate location by scanning thesticker located on the shelf, because the sticker, usually with a priceindicated, is associated with a specific location for a specificproduct.

When the store implements price changes for a list of products, anemployee or group of employees usually must go around the store, findall the products with changed prices, and swap out signs and labels,which can be a time consuming task that occurs at regular intervals(e.g., weekly specials). The cart 10 enables an efficient process fordynamically changing prices for products accurately and quickly.

Specifically, for the price change process enabled by the cart 10, pricechanges, such as for weekly specials and the like, are entered in adatabase of prices in the store system. An employee may then use a cartin shelf management mode to go throughout the store to change labels. Abattery powered, wireless printer may be placed in the cart 10, such asin the child seat 60, and operably coupled (e.g., wired or wireless,such as Bluetooth, wi-fi, or infra red) to the ECM 200 for printing newprice labels when the cart is located in the right location for a givenproduct. The employee identifies himself or herself to the cart 10 byscanning an employee badge, much like scanning a loyalty card, thatenables access to the shelf management features unavailable toconsumers. The price changes entered into the database are conveyed tothe cart's ECM 200 from the store system. Based on known locations ofthe products listed, the cart 10 displays to the employee a map, asshown in the view of FIG. 22. The view of FIG. 22 shows the list ofproducts for which a price change is being implemented, a location ofeach product on the list, the old price, the new price, and permits theemployee to check a product off the list once the price has beenchanged.

The employee moves the cart to the location of a product on the list,and when the employee has found the location of the product, he or shemay scan one item of the product to confirm that the shelf location isactually the right shelf location for the product on the list. Once thelocation is confirmed as correct for the product, the employee prints anew label on the wireless printer placed in the cart, and places the newlabel with the new price over the old label with the old price on theshelf. Once the new label is in place, the employee checks the productoff the list, and the cart 10 conveys to the store system that the pricechange has been implemented at the shelf level. The store system maythen charge the new price at the Point of Purchase, thereby allowreal-time pricing updates.

In a large store, or in a store holding many specials such as for aholiday weekend, the process of updating for price changes is greatlysped up using one or more carts 10 as discussed herein. Additionally,the price changes are dynamic, in that they take effect as soon as a newprice label is in place on the shelf. With the scanning ability of thecart 10 to confirm that the new price label is being placed in theproper location, price changes are also more accurate than relying onany given employee's knowledge of product placement within the store.

As the consumer checks out (i.e. renders payment) at the Point of Sale300, the POS computer 326 (e.g., computerized register) or POS server325 may record the purchases made by that consumer 85 using thatparticular cart 10. The POS computer 326, the POS server 325, and othersystems such as security systems or consumer loyalty systems may bereferred to generically as retailer systems. Retailer systems provideautomated, computerized services with respect to consumer or storeneeds. In an embodiment, retailer systems may comprise components of theoverall store network. In an embodiment, retailer systems may bestand-alone functional units operating separately from the storenetwork. In an embodiment, a retailer system may comprise a point ofsale system to interact with individual carts or consumers forprocessing payment at the conclusion of a shopping trip. In anembodiment, a retailer system may comprise a consumer loyalty system forrewarding consumer loyalty with discounts and other advantages, whiletracking shopping history for advertising purpose. In an embodiment, aretailer system may comprise a security system for tracking the locationof carts within the store or areas outside the store, such as, forexample, alerting the store management to the location of carts whenabandoned or broken, whether carts have left the store premises or whencarts remain in the parking lot to be returned to the store.

In an embodiment, the cart 10 includes a cart RFID tag that may be readby a POS RFID reader coupled to the POS server computer 326 or POSserver 325. The cart RFID tag may be located anywhere on the cart, andin an embodiment is located on or in video display 75, for example inthe screen housing 92, 93. In an embodiment, the cart RFID tag islocated on or in the video display 75 along with the network transceiver204. The POS RFID reader may read the cart RFID tag, thereby identifyinga specific cart, for example via the cart RFID tag associated with aserial or identification number. Alternatively, the POS system may use abar code scanner to scan a bar code on the particular cart that uniquelyidentifies the cart and correlate the bar code with the serial oridentification number. Alternatively, the particular cart may beidentified and correlated manually at the POS, for example via entry ofthe serial or identification number labeled on the cart into the POScomputer 326. The information obtained, both by checkout (e.g., via barcode and/or basket RFID scanning) and/or by the cart 10 during shopping(e.g., via bar code and/or basket RFID scanning), may be correlated to aparticular cart (based on the cart's unique identity) and/or transferredto the ISS 330 and the Host Central Server 340. Such correlation mayoccur anonymously, for example, without reference to the identity of theconsumer. Such information may further be correlated with a specificconsumer, for example via scan or entry of a loyalty card, a pin code, atelephone number, or other consumer identifier. Such information mayfurther be correlated with specific advertising displayed during theparticular use of the shopping cart.

The basket RFID reader 227 in conjunction with the ECM 200 may haveidentified and stored the identity of each product placed in the cart 10during shopping, such that upon approaching the Point of Sale 300, thePOS computer 326 may initiate checkout services based on the productsfor purchase known to be in the cart 10 by the ECM 200, as communicatedto the POS computer 326 via the network transceiver 204. Thus, the RFIDenablement of the shopping cart and the application of RFID tags at theindividual product level will facilitate the shopper's Point of Salecheckout efficiency. Alternatively, the consumer 85 may use the scanner215 to scan each product placed in the basket, such that uponapproaching the Point of Sale 300, the POS computer 326 may initiatecheckout services based on the products for purchase known the be in thecart 10 by the ECM 200, as communicated to the POS computer 326 via thenetwork transceiver 204.

In various embodiments, certain features may be additionally availableat the Point of Sale. In one embodiment, the cart maintains a runningtotal for items for purchase by the consumer 85 (i.e., the inventory ofthe cart). The total may be conveyed from the cart to the Point of Salecomputer, and confirmed by the consumer 85 for completing the purchasetransaction without requiring the inventory of the cart to be scannedover again at the Point of Sale. Upon displaying the cart total from thecart on the Point of Sale computer, the consumer 85 verifies that theamount is accurate, and completes the transaction (i.e., swipes a creditor debit card, completes her check, or provides a sufficient amount ofcash).

In other embodiments, at the Point of Sale, the actual cart weight forthe inventory of the cart is measured and compared for example to theknown, expected weight for the inventory of the cart. Specifically, thecart and the contents are weight and compared to the weight for the cartthat is known, and the weight for the contents, known based on theinventory of the cart. A difference between the actual cart weight forthe inventory and the known, expected weight indicates a potentialproblem of theft, and may generate an alert to the store server and/oran employee.

Implementing the improvements described herein, an assistedself-checkout may be performed at a “regular” checkout lane (i.e., aPoint of Sale computer equipped for purchase transaction). The consumer85 proceeds with a shopping trip, scanning items for purchase as shegoes, and placing the items in her cart. Upon her approach to the Pointof Sale, the ECM 200 on her cart communicates the cart inventory andtotal from the cart to the Point of Sale computer. When consumer's 85turn comes to complete the purchase transaction, the consumer's 85 cart10 and its contents are weighed. In various embodiments, the cart or anemployee may instruct the consumer 85 to remove personal items such as ahandbag, as well as any child present in the child seat, in order for anaccurate measurement of the weight of the cart and its contents. Theactual weight of the cart and its contents are compared to the known,expected weight for the cart and the contents: the weight of thecontents is calculated based on known weights for each item sold in thestore and the inventory of the cart communicated when the consumer 85approached the Point of Sale. If the actual weight exceeds the known,expected weight, an alert may be generated to notify store security or astore employee to assist the consumer 85 with removing personal itemsthat should not have been included in the actual weight. In variousembodiments, the alert is only generated if the weight differenceexceeds a predetermined threshold amount.

Upon confirmation of the actual weight relative to the known, expectedweight, the Point of Sale computer displays the cart total to theconsumer 85 for verification. In an embodiment, the Point of Salecomputer asks the consumer 85 “Does the total below equal the total foryour cart? If so, press 1, and if not, press 2 for assistance.” When theconsumer 85 selects “2” if the total does not equal the cart total, astore employee may assist in finalizing the purchase, while when theconsumer 85 selects “1,” the Point of Sale computer further prompts theconsumer 85 to complete the purchase transaction using her preferredmethod of payment (i.e., a credit card, check, cash, or debit accountassociated with consumer). The Point of Sale computer accepts theconsumer 85's payment, provides any cash back requested by the consumer85, and the transaction is complete. In embodiments, the entire purchasetransaction from the time the consumer 85 enters the Point of Saletransaction is limited only to the amount of time necessary for theconsumer 85 to carry out her payment option, with only negligible timeused to weigh the cart and contents for comparison and verify the carttotal.

In use, the consumer 85 may also use the cart for services that in therelated art would require the consumer to find a store employee. Viavoice commands delivered to the voice activated interface 120 operablycoupled to the ECM 200 and the in-store network, the consumer 85 mayrequest the location of a specific product or request informationpertaining to a particular product such as nutritional information,whether any specials for that product are available, and recipes thatmay incorporate a product. By activating the voice activated interface120 by way of the five way navigation device 123, the consumer 85 mayalso contact various in-store services, such as a pharmacy, delicounter, or automotive service station to initiate an order or check onthe status of their order. The consumer 85 may additionally contactcustomer services within the store without waiting in line at a counter,by calling the customer service desk from the voice activated interface,enabling activities such as requesting a rain check or reporting asafety hazard in the store. In other embodiments, the consumer 85 mayuse the voice activated interface as a means of calling a person orservice outside of the store, by using the ECM 200's communicationabilities to connect to the Internet, enabling Voice Over InternetProtocol (“VoIP”) technology. For example, a consumer 85 may wish tocheck with their spouse regarding which product to buy or for shoppinglist products, and may use the VoIP enablement and voice activatedinterface 120 to call home.

Another in-store use is the bar-code scanning. A consumer 85 may chooseto scan their own products with the scanner 215 inset into the handle 22or pod 150, enabling him to view a running total for the products in thecart 10 for purchase. By scanning the products during the shopping tripusing the scanner 215, the scanner 215 enables the consumer 85 to avoidwaiting in the checkout lanes, as the ECM 200 may communicate theproducts being purchased, the price of each product, and the runningtotal, as well as the value of any coupons used and scanned by theconsumer 85 to the POS computer 326 upon arriving at the Point of Sale300. Bar-code scanning during shopping, in conjunction with the cart 10communicating the scanned inventory to the Point of Sale 300,facilitates more efficient check out services for consumers.

In addition to the voice activated interface 120, the consumer 85 mayuse a number of the media enhancements of the cart 10 via the five waynavigation device inset in the handle 22 or pod 150. The consumer maypress the voice activation button 122 (which preferably is a centerbutton of the five way navigation device 123) to activate the voicerecognition system as well as to navigate other applications to accesscertain functions and information on the cart 10 such as productlocation and other product information. The five way navigation device123 may be used to maneuver through the menu of options 124 displayed onthe video display 75.

As the cart supports voice recognition and additionally connects to thestore server wirelessly (and thereby a connection to the Internet isprovided to the cart), the cart may be enabled for communication viaVoIP. VoIP on the cart offers the ability to call, for example, customerservice within the store (for example, to report a spill or ask forassistance), store personnel (i.e. to reach the store manager for acomplaint or compliment), and between carts (e.g., for store employeesto use in set up, inventory, and the like). In one embodiment, a “call”icon may be provided on the screen of the cart. The user may select theicon either by a voice command or using the five way navigation device,and communicate via VoIP using the wireless internet to the storeserver, which is tied in turn to the customer service desk or theInternet generally to communicate by VoIP with individuals outside ofthe store (e.g., call home to check for an ingredient).

With the media enhancements, a consumer 85 will have the capability toformulate a shopping list at home on the Internet, forward the list tothe store via email, and upon registering with a cart 10 with a loyaltycard or other consumer identifier in the store, have their shopping listdisplayed on the video display 75 and be guided through the store inaisle and product order, showing specials, promotions, and productlocation for products on their shopping list.

In various embodiments, the cart provides the consumer 85 with shopperfeatures to enhance the shopping experience. In one shopper feature, theconsumer 85 is enabled to save and name shopping lists. In oneembodiment, saving and naming shopping lists may be performed from a website, while in other embodiments, saving and naming shopping lists maybe performed directly on the cart. In further embodiments, saving andnaming shopping lists may be performed on a mobile device, such as ahandheld computer, a Blackberry™, or a mobile telephone, and transferredto the cart wirelessly, by infrared, or by Bluetooth™ enabledtechnology. Saved shopping lists may be tied to a user identifier, andretrieved upon scanning a loyalty card or other identifying card.

In some embodiments, an additional shopper feature provides a coursedirecting the consumer 85 to each item on the shopping list. A shoppinglist that comprises, for example, a wedding or baby registry, mayinclude a course providing directions for the consumer 85 to find eachitem on the list within the store, enabling faster and easieridentification of list items for purchase. In various embodiments, thecourse may be displayed in a graphical representation of the store. Invarious other embodiments, the course may be generated by displaying atthe top of the shopping list the items from the list closest inproximity and in the direction in which the cart is moving, constantlyupdated as the cart moves.

In another shopper feature, the consumer 85 is enabled to email a recipeor a link to a vendor's web site with a recipe to an email address. Theemail address may include an email address on file or an email addressentered on the cart. In various embodiments, the email address isverified before sending.

In another shopper feature, the consumer 85 is enabled to scan and usecoupons at the cart, such that the cart total accurately reflects theprice discount provided by the coupons during the shopping trip. In suchembodiments, the amount of savings for coupons, and identity of couponsand products for which the coupons are used are conveyed to the Point ofSale computer.

In another shopper feature, a folder of personalized reminders for theconsumer 85 is stored. As with the shopping lists, the folder ofpersonalized reminders may be tied to a user identifier, and retrievedupon scanning a loyalty card or other identifying card. Personalizedreminders may include greeting card reminders for birthdays,anniversaries, and other holidays. Personalized reminders mayadditionally include prescription reminders for an in-store pharmacy. Invarious embodiments, when a reminder is generated by the cart to alertthe consumer 85 with a prescription reminder, the consumer 85 may selectthe reminder to automatically place the prescription order (i.e.,refill) with the in-store pharmacy, and another alert may be provided tothe consumer 85 via the cart when the prescription order is ready to bepicked up. Other personalized reminders may also be available, such asmonthly refills for standard pantry items, pet items, and the like.

In various embodiments, any saved personalized items, such as lists orreminders, may be uploaded to the enterprise server, enabling theconsumer 85 to access the items in the premises of any retailer thatemploys the overall system, making the items portable from retailer toretailer, assisting with comparison shopping and easier use of listswithout the consumer 85 having to maintain different lists for thevarious stores where she shops. Furthermore, stored items may beautomatically updated in real time when the consumer 85 makes additionsor changes.

The cart 10, by way of the media enhancements discussed above capturesreal-time purchasing behavior at the individual consumer level andprovides back end data mining and analytical reporting. The cart 10captures information that is specific down to the second about the cart10 and a consumer's movement and interactions with the cart, and recordsit for use by retailers and advertisers. For example, consumer shoppingpatterns may be collected, anonymously if preferred by the consumer, foranalysis and use by advertisers, consumer goods manufacturers, andretailers. Retailers may use the cart information for store operations,as discussed herein with respect to shelf management. Additionally,service and maintenance information provides timely information to cartmaintenance personnel regarding cart usage and problems.

In an embodiment, when the consumer 85 brings the cart 10 to the Pointof Sale 300 at the conclusion of the shopping trip, the ECM 200 maycommunicate data to the ISS 330, a POS server 325, a POS computer 326,or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the ECM 200 communicates withISS 330, which in turn communicates with POS server 325, which in turncommunicates with POS computer 326, and vice-versa. Typically, the POSserver 325 and the POS computer 326 are part of an existing local areanetwork in a given store, and the ISS 330 typically would be added as anew component to the existing local area network upon implementation ofthe media enabled shopping cart at a particular location. While notrequired, communication with the ECM 200 may be facilitated by directingsuch communication through the ISS 330, rather than directly with ECM200.

In an embodiment, the cart 10 communicates the identity of the productsbeing purchased to the POS computer 326 or POS server 325 via the ISS330, as the identity of each product was obtained during shopping whenthe consumer 85 scanned the product with the scanner 215 or the basketRFID reader 227 identified the product when it was placed in the cart10. Alternatively, the POS computer 326 or POS server 325 may obtain theidentity of the products being purchased by the consumer 85 or a storeemployee scanning the bar code on each product at the Point of Sale 300.

As the consumer checks out (i.e. renders payment) at the Point of Sale300, the POS computer 326 or POS server 325 may record the purchasesmade by that consumer 85 using that particular cart 10 as describedherein. The information obtained, both by checkout and by the cart 10during shopping, may be transferred to/from the ISS 330 and/or the HostCentral Server 340. Using data mining advances enabled by the cart 10and its media enhancements, advertisers can individually track theeffectiveness of advertising and pricing campaigns without compromisingthe personal identity of the consumer, alleviating privacy concerns ofconsumer groups. Alternatively, the information can be correlated to aspecific consumer, for example via a loyalty card program, where theconsumer is agreeable to such.

The data communicated by the ECM 200 may include data programmed to itsmemory, or data collected and stored in the memory over the course ofthe consumer's 85 shopping trips (initiated when the consumer 85 firstmoved the cart 10). In an embodiment, such data may include any of thefollowing: 1) the identity of the cart, 2) where in the store the carthas been, 3) which advertisements have been displayed to the consumerusing the cart, 4) the length of time spent with each advertisementdisplayed and the length of time spent in specific areas or aisles ofthe store, 5) what products are in the cart 10 for purchase, 6) if known(such as from a loyalty card), consumer statistical or demographic data(gender, age, spending and purchasing habits), 7) store traffic patternssuch as time, day, period, duration, etc., and 8) cart usage patterns(e.g., number used, typical user, functions accessed, etc.). Such datamay be correlated to determine the effectiveness of advertisingpresented via the media enable cart to the consumer at the point ofpurchase (i.e., proximate the point in time when the consumer isselecting a particular product to be placed in the basket andpurchased).

In another embodiment, data includes (I) information captured by themedia cart system such as (1) cart specific data such as (a) cartidentification, (b) date and time of shopping episode and each activitytherein, (c) media cart/retailer user card UPC scanned by a greeter atthe time the cart is handed to the shopper and scanned again by theshopper at checkout, at which time the card is returned to the store foruse by another consumer 85, which helps to link information captured bythe media cart system with POS data, (d) cart tracking such as locationand duration, and (e) cart activities such as product locator, pricechecks, shopping lists, basket views such as totals, UPC, number ofitems, etc; and (2) consumer campaigns, ads, promotions such asdescription of ad/promo, ad/promo reference number, campaign name andreference number, ad/promo start/stop time, ad/promo trigger variables(e.g., location, time, loyalty, non-loyalty), and location in store; (2)Point of Sale (POS) data such as (a) media cart/retailer user card UPCscanned by a greeter at the time the cart is handed to the shopper andscanned again by the shopper at checkout, at which time the card isreturned to the store for use by another consumer 85, which helps tolink information captured by the media cart system with POS data, (b)product description including UPC code and manufacturer code, (c)regular product price, (d) purchased product price, (e) basket total,(f) number of items in basket, and (g) check-out lane number with timeand date of check-out and transaction log number; (3) Loyalty club datasuch as (a) loyalty card number, (b) zip code, (c) loyalty shopperpurchasing data such as items in basket and size of basket in dollars;and (4) store data such as (a) store address, (b) TDLinx code, (c)latitude and longitude coordinates, and (d) store demographic data suchas number of adults/children in household, income bracket, age bracket,ethnic group, home owner or renter, education level, etc.

Such data may be used to product a variety of reports such as (1)shopper segmentation data such as (a) trip size, (b) trip duration, (c)day of week, and (d) time of day; (2) consumer campaign studies such as(a) item purchased, including display location and shelf location, (b)cross-purchase studies, including whether usage idea resulted in brandpurchased or other brand purchased, (c) recipe ideas, including whethersame resulted in brand purchased or other brand purchased, (d) basketanalysis, including trip size impact, category linkage of basket,categories absent from basket, (e) cart tracking of anonymous shopperincluding types of shopping patterns (day of week, time of day, andduration of shopping episode), perimeter areas visited (duration atperimeter department and items scanned), aisles shopped (duration withinaisle and items scanned), displays shopped (duration at display anditems scanned), location data inquiries by shopper, nutritioninformation inquiries by shopper, product pricing inquires made byshopper, replacement of product entries, out of store coupons used, instore coupons used; and (f) loyalty card shopper tracking includingtypes of shopping patterns (day of week, time of day, and duration ofshopping episode), perimeter areas visited (duration at perimeterdepartment and items scanned), aisles shopped (duration within aisle anditems scanned), displays shopped (duration at display and itemsscanned), location data inquiries by shopper, nutrition informationinquiries by shopper, product pricing inquires made by shopper,replacement of product entries, out of store coupons used, in storecoupons used.

Such data may also be used for analytical analysis such as (1) locationof cart including (a) verification of scanned items, (b) verification ofcart after ad stimulus such as whether the cart moved after the ad,whether the shopper purchased the product, and if so when, whethershopper purchased a competing product, and if so comparative data suchas price, brand quality, etc., (2) ad viewed in product displaylocation, including verification of scanned item, quantity purchased,and duration of time at display prior to cart moving, (3) ad viewed incross-usage category including (a) verification of scanned complimentaryusage item and (b) verification of promoted brand in ad with usageoccasion, for example whether cart moved to featured product location,and (4) whether shopper used product locator feature to find a productin the store, for example a complimentary or featured item.

In particular advertising data may be correlated or integrated withsales data to determine the effectiveness of the ad on an anonymouspurchaser, or alternatively on an identifiable consumer such as viafurther correlation of data provided via a loyalty program. Where theconsumer is identified, purchasing data may be tracked over time todetermine the effectiveness of advertising and to determine whetheradditional and/or modified advertising is desired. Such correlations mayfurther provide a wealth of useful data such purchasing patterns basedupon consumer demographics; geographic or regional preferences orvariations; product placement; ad content, style, timing, etc. Forexample, reports could be generated indicating store traffic patterns;ad impact; product volume, market share by consumer85/household/group/store/region, repeat purchases, etc.; consumerpurchasing trends (products, dollar amounts, etc.); average size andcontent of total purchase per time, day, season, etc.; purchases byproduct category or segment, household, store, region, etc.; consumersurvey results; etc.

The data mining capabilities of the media enhanced cart 10 describedherein enable access to metrics unique to advertising as used inconjunction with the media enhanced cart 10. The communications featuresof the cart 10 enable advertisers to remotely download to the ISS 330(and subsequently to each cart 10, in some embodiments) changes inadvertising. Changes in advertising may be made in response toinformation obtained through data mining, as discussed herein. The mediaenhancements described herein enable advertisers to test advertisementsin various demographic or geographic groups, and see the effectivenessin an immediate fashion, in that new statistical data is continuouslybeing generated and reported. Such advertising may then be modified asneeded and/or rolled out on in a large scale campaign.

The media enabled shopping cart system described herein provides anumber of advantageous features including the ability to (a) targetanonymous consumers with specific product promotions and information atthe exact point of purchase and product selection in a retail storeaisle; (b) provide specific promotions to loyalty card consumer 85 s whohave opted into the program; (c) provide shopping enhancement tools tothe shopper such as store specials, electronic shopping lists, in-storeproduct locator, recipes, nutritional information, and the ability toself scan products to speed checkout; (d) capture cart traffic patterns,cart purchases, interactions with the cart, (e) capture loyalty cardconsumer shopping and purchasing behavior who have opted into theprogram, (f) provide precise data mining and analytical reporting, (g)provide retailers with shelf management system to electronically manageproduct location and pricing in the store, and (h) modify shoppertraffic patterns, for example redirecting consumers to low trafficaisles and/or to high margin products.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 17, the cart 10 may receive Wireless Local AreaNetwork (“WLAN”) signals including video streams in 802.11x format. Inan embodiment, a plurality of wireless access points 320 may be locatedthroughout the store to provide network coverage to each cart 10 locatedin the store, communicating by way of the network transceiver 204 (e.g.,a wireless modem) in ECM 200. The network transceiver 204 may be locatedanywhere on cart 10 and is operably coupled to ECM 200. In anembodiment, the network transceiver is integrated with display 75, oralternatively is integrated with ECM 200. Data may be transferred to andfrom the cart 10 via the wireless link between the network transceiver204 and the POS Server 325. Data may be transferred to and from the cart10 via the wireless link between the network transceiver 204 and the ISS330. The ISS 330 may store cart 10 data and act as an intermediarybetween the retailer's store systems and each cart 10. The ISS 330 mayalso connect over a firewall 332 through a broadband modem/router 333via a network (in an embodiment, the Internet or VPN 335) to a HostCentral Server (“HCS”) 340 located at a host company's hosting facility.Advertising data and media may be transferred at regular intervals, suchas daily, between each store's ISS 330 and the HCS 340. Data transferredfrom each store's ISS 330 may be processed by the host company. In anembodiment, both the ISS 330 and HCS 340 utilize standard Microsoftserver configurations or equivalents thereof along with supportingdatabase management tools.

The Cart Explorer is an application that runs on the store server thatis responsible for keeping track of all of the carts in the store. TheCart Explorer functions similar to Windows Explorer for keeping track ofcomputers in a network or other system browser technology. The CartExplorer maintains a status of each cart (e.g. systems, processes, etc.)in the fleet via the wireless connection to each cart: the health ofeach cart, the software version running on each cart, disk space carthas available, the location of each cart, the charging status, and thelike. The Cart Explorer enables an individual (such as a troubleshooting employee or an employee trained in the setup and use of theoverall system) to find and control each cart remotely, thereby keepinga store running while performing preventative and proactive maintenance.The individual may employ the Cart Explorer to display a selectable iconrepresenting each cart in the fleet, such that when selected, a detailedcart status is magnified. The cart status may include an indication ofbattery life remaining, an indication of damage detected, and anindication of data corruption. The cart status may also include anindication of a present operating system, an indication of presentdisplayable content, and an indication of a version of each supplementalexecutable program. The cart status may further include a graphicalrepresentation of the location of the cart in a store map.

In various embodiments, the Cart Explorer further includes a Cart Pagersystem. The Cart Pager system allows a particular cart or group of cartsto be identified or notified from within an entire pool or fleet ofcarts. In one embodiment, when a cart is paged from the Cart Explorer,the cart issues an audible page alert, such as a beep. In anotherembodiment, when a cart is paged from the Cart Explorer, the cartdisplays a visible page alert, such as a message appearing on the cartscreen to notify a user. In various embodiments, the Cart Explorer CartPager system may be used to issue a page to just one cart, or all cartsin the store. In various embodiments, the Cart Explorer Cart Pagersystem may be used to issue a page to the computer interface, or to thehuman interface (i.e., the screen). In various embodiments, the CartExplorer Cart Pager system may include one way paging or two way paging.

In an embodiment, the host company is a parent company for a pluralityof retail merchant stores which are networked as described herein. Anadvertising company or product manufacturer may be granted access to theHCS such that product advertising may be remotely and centrallydownloaded to the host company for further dissemination to the variousindividual stores. Likewise, information such as product information,inventory, advertising effectiveness, etc. may be accessed from the HSCand uploaded by the advertising company or product manufacturer. In thisway, an advertising company or product manufacturer may have acentralized access point for the upload and download of advertising orother product data, thereby allowing real-time access and adjustment tobusiness activities based upon the effectiveness of a particularactivity. For example, a new advertising campaign can be downloadedremotely to the HCS, disseminated on a large scale or small scale (e.g.,a pilot run), and the results of the advertising campaign can be closelymonitored in real or about real-time to determine if any adjustmentsneed to be made.

The HCS server is operable to coordinate activity between all thevarious stores, keeping track of all the data from between stores. Invarious embodiments, a plurality of HCS servers may be implemented. Invarious embodiments, an HCS server may be dedicated to a particularchain of stores that are commonly controlled. The HCS server manages alldata going to the carts (i.e., digital content management, passing ads,recipes, nutritional information, and the like to carts through stores)as well as all the data coming back from the carts (i.e., coordinationof shop events). The HCS server keeps track of campaigns, banners, andsubcategories for product placement and advertising, as well as theplacement of ads and/or content according to Neilson-like categories orretailer defined categories.

In an embodiment, the operating system software of the ISS 330 may bebased primarily on the Windows Server 2003 Operating System, IIS 6.0utilizing the .NET Compact Framework, COM+. In an embodiment, theoperating system software of the POS Server 325 may be based primarilyon the Windows Server 2003 Operating System, IIS 6.0 utilizing the .NETCompact Framework, COM+. It should be understood that specific computingequipment and software are disclosed herein as non-limiting examples,and that equivalent or improved components may be substituted as suchbecome available.

In an embodiment, the HCS 340 may comprise one or more of each of thefollowing: a media server, a web server, and a database server. In anembodiment, the one or more media servers may operate on operatingsystem software based primarily on Windows Server 2003 with a DivXEncoder, Media Windows Server, Flash Communications Server, and FTPService. In an embodiment, the one or more web servers may operate onthe operating system software based primarily on the Windows Server 2003Operating System, IIS 6.0 utilizing the .NET Compact Framework, COM+. Inan embodiment, the one or more database servers may operate on theoperating system software based primarily on the Windows Server 2003,IIS 6.0 .NET Framework, COM+, SQL Server 2003 (cluster), MS SQLServer2003, and MS SQLServer 2005. It should be understood that specificcomputing equipment and software are disclosed herein as non-limitingexamples, and that equivalent or improved components may be substitutedas such become available.

In an embodiment, various components of the system described herein maybe located commonly, for example affixed to or integrated with the cart10. In an embodiment, various components of the system described hereinmay be distributed or dispersed over the system as a whole whileoperably coupled to one another to achieve the functions describedherein, for example with one or more components located on the cart andone or more components located on a computing system such as aretailer's POS system, a LAN, a WAN, etc. Likewise, various components,subsystems, and the like as described herein may be implemented insoftware, hardware, or both and operable coupled within the system as awhole to perform their intended function as will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art.

Methods enabled by the present disclosure include mounting a display ona shopping cart basket as well as performing steps to make or carry outall other attachments, configurations, and embodiments described herein.Further, methods of use of a shopping cart having a basket mounted videodisplay will be readily apparent from the present disclosure. Methodsenabled by the present disclosure further include adding or retrofittingmedia enhancing hardware and software to a shopping cart (e.g., plasticand/or metal), as well as performing steps to make or carry out allother attachments, configurations, and embodiments described herein.Further, methods of use of a media enhanced shopping cart, includingdata mining, will be readily apparent from the present disclosure.

In embodiment as shown in the Figures, a cart 10 is provided having avideo display 75 mounted on the nose 45 of the cart 10. The cart 10 isfurther enhanced by the addition of a ECM 200, a voice activatedinterface 120, a scanner 215, a five-way navigation device, 123, a nosebumper handle 100, an aisle RFID reader 225 with antennas 226 (lookingoutward from the cart 10), optionally a basket RFID reader 227 withantennas 228 (looking inward on the contents of the basket 20), andbattery charger contact plates 105 or 230, 231. The voice activatedinterface 120, the five-way navigation device 123, and the scanner 215are grouped in a pod 150 near the center of the handle 22, as shown inFIG. 19. In an embodiment, the voice activated interface 120 furthercomprises a push to talk voice activated interface having a hard or softbutton on the pod 150 or handle 22 to push to activate the voicerecognition feature. The push to talk button may be a dedicated buttonor may be one or a combination/sequence of buttons, for example on thefive-way navigation device 123. The pod 150 and/or handle 22 may furthercomprise a price check button, which may be a hard or soft button.Likewise, the price check button may be a dedicated button or may be oneor a combination/sequence of buttons, for example on the five-waynavigation device 123. Pushing the price check button allows a consumer85 to scan an item to determine its price, whereby the item is not addedto the basket inventory or shopping total for the consumer 85. It shouldbe understood that any components described herein as residing in or onthe handle 22 can likewise be integrated into the pod 150, and in anembodiment all functional components positioned on the handle 22 areincorporated into the pod 150. The aisle RFID reader 225 is integratedwith the ECM 200 and antennas 226 are located on either side of thehousing 199 of the ECM 200. The basket RFID reader 227 may be part ofECM 200 with antennas 228 located in the base 76. The battery chargercontact plates are positioned and configured as shown in FIGS. 6, 7,and/or 12.

More specifically, the base 76 is mounted to the inside of front sidewall 28 and conforms to the shape of the nose, for example slightlycurved as shown. As shown in FIG. 19, the base 76 may extend downwardfrom the front edge 29 along the inside of front side wall 28 and taperdownward with the lower edge 83 of the base contacting or aboutcontacting the upper portion of the bottom 21 of basket 20. A base 76 asshown in FIG. 19 forms a conduit for communication cables, power cords,etc. from the ECM 200 and/or battery. Such conduit may further extendunder the lower edge of the bottom 21 of basket 20, and may connect withthe ECM 200 housing 199. In an embodiment the conduit and/or base 76 maybe integral with the basket 20, for example molded in plastic.

The video display 75 is attached to the basket 20 such that the viewablearea 78 is above the interior 54 of the basket. Likewise, the videodisplay 75 is attached to the basket 20 such that the viewable area 78is in a field of vision 84 of a consumer 85 pushing the cart 10 via thehandle 22. The video display 75 is foldable, and the hinge 79 ispositioned about equal to the front edge 29 of the basket 20. The bottomedge 82 of the screen 77 is positioned about equal to the front edge 29,and in some embodiments may rest upon the front edge 29 to provideadditional support to the screen 77. For example, the outer bottom edges98, 99 may rest on the front or side upper edges for additional support.As shown in FIG. 2, the nose 45 and upper edges may be slightly curvedand the bottom edge 82 of screen 77 may be less curved such that theouter bottom edges 98, 99 engage one or more of the upper edges in anunfolded position. In a folded position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, thescreen extends at about a 90 degree angle with respect to the base 76(or alternatively extends within the plane defining the upper edges ofthe cart), which clears the nose and exterior of the cart for nestingwith a second cart while also keeping the interior 54 of the cart clearsuch that the rear side wall 31 may swing upward into the interior 54 ofthe basket to receive the front side wall 28 of a third cart.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and teachings of the invention. Theembodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are not intended tobe limiting. Many variations and modifications of the inventiondisclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of the invention.Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such expressranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative rangesor limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly statedranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4,etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). Use of theterm “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim is intended tomean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is notrequired. Both alternatives are intended to be within the scope of theclaim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc.should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such asconsisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of,etc. The various embodiments and components thereof disclosed herein maybe used singularly or in combination with any other embodiment disclosedherein. Throughout the figures, like numbers correspond to like parts.

Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the descriptionset out above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scopeincluding all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each andevery claim is incorporated into the specification as an embodiment ofthe present invention. Thus, the claims are a further description andare an addition to the preferred embodiments of the present invention.The discussion of a reference herein is not an admission that it isprior art to the present invention, especially any reference that mayhave a publication date after the priority date of this application. Thedisclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications citedherein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that theyprovide exemplary, procedural or other details supplementary to thoseset forth herein.

1. A bi-directional recharge corral system for recharging a batterywhile storing a media enhanced shopping cart, comprising: one or morecorral sections each comprising a cart guiding portion and one or morecharge rails extending from the cart guiding portion; a power supplyoperably coupled to the charge rails of the one or more corral sections,wherein the power supply supplies current through the charge rails basedon a direction of a shopping cart in the corral sections; and a powermanagement unit, wherein the power management unit determines at leastone of voltage and temperature, and based on at least one of voltage andtemperature, calculates a charging algorithm by which to supply currentthrough the charge rails.
 2. The bi-directional recharge corral systemof claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting the direction ofthe shopping cart in the corral sections relative to the corralsections.
 3. The bi-directional recharge corral system of claim 1,wherein the charge rails are positioned to engage a battery chargingcontact plate positioned on or proximate to one or more wheels on theshopping cart in one of at least two directions.
 4. The bi-directionalrecharge corral system of claim 3, wherein for a first direction, thepower supply conducts current from positive to negative.
 5. Thebi-directional recharge corral system of claim 3, wherein for a firstdirection, the power supply conducts current from negative to positive.6. The bi-directional recharge corral system of claim 1, wherein thePower Management Unit is further operable to detect an error condition,and upon detection of an error condition, initiate remedial action. 7.The bi-directional recharge corral system of claim 6, wherein theremedial action comprises performing a system reset, altering a chargingalgorithm applied, or combinations thereof.
 8. The bi-directionalrecharge corral system of claim 6, wherein the error condition comprisesa failure of communication with a host computer of the shopping cart inthe corral sections.
 9. The bi-directional recharge corral system ofclaim 6, wherein the error condition comprises a voltage across abattery of the shopping cart that is lower than a predeterminedthreshold voltage.
 10. The bi-directional recharge corral system ofclaim 6, wherein the error condition comprises a voltage across abattery of the shopping cart that is higher than a predeterminedthreshold voltage.
 11. A method of charging a plurality of mediaenhanced shopping carts, comprising: providing a conductive charge plateon a cart that is electrically coupled to a battery affixed to the cart,the battery operable to power one or more media enhancements of thecart; providing a charging unit comprising a conductive charge railelectrically coupled to a power supply and a cart guiding segmentcomprising one or more guide grooves for positioning the cart in themodular charging unit; positioning the cart in the guide grooves suchthat the conductive charge plate of the cart is in contact with theconductive charge rail of the modular charging unit; forming anelectrical connection between the conductive charge plate of the cartand the conductive charge rail; determining at least one of voltage andtemperature, and based on at least one of voltage and temperature,calculating a charging algorithm by which to conduct current through thecharge rails; detecting a direction of the cart in the charging unit;and based on the direction of the cart in the charging unit, supplyingcurrent from the power supply through the conductive charge rail and theconductive charge plate of the cart, thereby charging the battery of thecart in a bi-directional fashion.
 12. The method according to claim 11,wherein for a first direction, current is supplied from the power supplyfrom positive to negative.
 13. The method according to claim 11, whereinfor a second direction, current is supplied from the power supply fromnegative to positive.
 14. A method of charging a plurality of mediaenhanced shopping carts, comprising: providing a conductive charge plateon a cart that is electrically coupled to a battery affixed to the cart,the battery operable to power one or more media enhancements of thecart; providing a charging unit comprising a conductive charge railelectrically coupled to a power supply and a cart guiding segmentcomprising one or more guide grooves for positioning the cart in themodular charging unit; positioning the cart in the guide grooves suchthat the conductive charge plate of the cart is in contact with theconductive charge rail of the modular charging unit; forming anelectrical connection between the conductive charge plate of the cartand the conductive charge rail; detecting a direction of the cart in thecharging unit; based on the direction of the cart in the charging unit,supplying current from the power supply through the conductive chargerail and the conductive charge plate of the cart, thereby charging thebattery of the cart in a bi-directional fashion; and detecting an errorcondition, and upon detection of an error condition, initiating remedialaction.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the remedialaction comprises performing a system reset, altering a chargingalgorithm applied, or combinations thereof.
 16. The method according toclaim 14, wherein the error condition comprises a failure ofcommunication with a host computer of the shopping cart in the corralsections.
 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the errorcondition comprises a voltage across a battery of the shopping cart thatis lower than a predetermined threshold voltage.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 14, wherein the error condition comprises a voltageacross a battery of the shopping cart that is higher than apredetermined threshold voltage.